Skegness people urged not to put their lives in danger rescuing animals

FIREFIGHTERS are urging Skegness residents not to put their own lives on the line rescuing animals.

The county's fire and rescue service now has six stations with a total of 65 specially-trained personnel, who can save animals without risking life and limb.

Critics argue that helping animals is a time-wasting exercise for Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue, which should focus on saving human life.

But firefighters know that if they did not attempt to save them, members of the public would - risking injury and even death.

Chris Lowe from the Urban Search and Rescue team says: "By its very nature, mounting any rescue is dangerous and requires specialist skills.

"If a person or an animal has fallen in the position of needing to be rescued, then the situation is already hazardous.

"Anyone who enters that situation unprepared and inexperienced will only make the situation worse and more difficult for us to deal with - as well as jeopardise their own life. Please leave it to the experts."

Mr Lowe urges dogwalkers to use extra precaution during wintry conditions, when animals falling through ice-covered lakes and rivers is an all-too-common event.

* If you see an animal in extreme danger don't attempt to rescue it yourself, call 999.