Hero fireys: Melbourne firefighters rescued 160 animals from danger

FROM a cat in a washing machine to a duck in a chimney, even our furry friends occasionally need a helping hand from firefighters. SEE THE PICTURES

FROM a cat in a washing machine to a duck up a chimney, even our furry and feathered friends occasionally need a helping hand.

Firefighting crews have responded to 160 calls concerning a trapped animal in the past 18 months, Melbourne Metropolitan Fire Brigade statistics revealed.

Critters rescued by fireys included cats, dogs, possums, foxes, owls and even a cow.

Firefighter Jono Barnett with Jono the rescue dog. Picture: Jason Edwards

The data shows cats are the most at risk of getting trapped, as 93 felines found themselves stuck in a tricky place between January 2016 and July 2017.

Birds — including two owls, a cockatoo and a duck — also recorded high numbers, with 36 rescues.

Man’s best friend was slightly less vulnerable, just 27 dogs requiring the assistance of firefighters.

While not all rescue attempts had a happy ending, some of the most remarkable cases included:

Cats are the most at risk of getting trapped. Picture: Supplied

LUCKY kitten Honda miraculously survived a 25km journey trapped in a car engine.

The five-week-old spent 12 hours in the perilous spot and was rescued only after the car owner heard his desperate meows for help.

It took firefighters more than an hour to locate and free Honda, who’d suffered minor burns.

Firefighters rescued the kitten from the car engine.

Honda trapped in the car’s engine for over 12 hours. Picture: Supplied

The five-week-old only suffered minor burns. Picture: Supplied

CURIOUS Brunswick kitten Harry got more than he bargained for when his owner unknowingly started a washing machine he’d jumped inside.

After realising where little Harry had disappeared to she frantically called triple-0.

Firefighters used a crowbar to pry open the machine and Harry spent the night at the vet, but otherwise suffered no significant injuries.

Harry the kitten used up two of his lives after he was rescued from a washing machine in Brunswick. Picture: Supplied

BLACK poodle-cross Boris was rescued from a severe Seddon house fire.

The pooch suffered smoke inhalation and was given urgent oxygen therapy through a face mask.

He made a full recovery.

Boris with fireys. Picture: Supplied

A SMALL dog was being washed in a sink when its paw became stuck in the drain.

Firefighters removed the drain cover from the sink before cutting it away from the dog’s paw.

Former vet turned MFB leading firefighter, Ian Porter, said rescue methods ranged from elaborate aerial operations to simply leaving cat food at the bottom of a tree.

“They’re inquisitive creatures, so they’re exploring their world and that’s unfortunately how they get themselves into places that they no longer fit,” he said.

“When animals are in pain or scared they move into fight or flight, they’re either going to try get away or they may attack as they want to escape the situation.”

Fireys rescued this cat from a fire. Picture: Supplied

Mr Porter stressed the public should never risk their own safety trying to save an animal.

“If it’s a danger to your personal safety it’s far better we’re there to not only protect you, but also the animal,” he said.

“They play such an important role in our lives and people can act irrationally where there’s a huge emotional attachment.”

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