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THE EMERGENCY SERVICES PROTOCOL
The uniquely specialist equine division of PRP Rescue Services is being recognised in the new “Emergency Services Protocol” that is being developed jointly by the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) and the Highways Agency. Whilst this initiative is still in its’ infancy, it will ultimately become the actionable protocol of choice for all emergency incidents (police, fire, ambulance etc.) involving highways and livestock with PRP Rescue Services as the sole livestock emergency provider:
Accidents, stray animals and other incidents can often shut major roads for hours, proving
to be costly for not just those immediately involved, but also those caught up in the after effects. It is our belief that all incidents involving livestock should be overseen by trained staff in
order to minimise the problems that may arise in these situations. Below is a small selection of how we have helped out recently.
November 13th 2008 22.30hrs
PRP receive a call from the HIghways Agency requesting help with a broken down horsebox on the M5. Unfortunately, the driver has no
breakdown cover for his vehicle or recovery for his horses and the Highways Agency want them moved out of danger. We arrange for the vehicle and horses to be safely removed from the motorway, the
horses and driver are then collected by one of our approved transporters and delivered home.
This is not an uncommon event. The subsequent bills from motorway service agents for the horsebox recovery and from the horse
transporters for the livestock recovery are usually three or four times the cost of a twelve month breakdown membership!
November 16th 02.00hrs
PRP receive a call in the early hours from the Highways Agency (North West). A coloured cob is loose on the M62. We arrange for the
cob to be collected by one of our approved transporters and stabled overnight whilst attempts are made to trace its’ home.
The pony was safely collected the next day by a very grateful owner.
December 22nd 06.24hrs
Two loose ponies are found by the Highways Agency on the M1 in Yorkshire. PRP firstly arrange help with catching
them and then transport them safely to secure stabling whilst attempts are made to find out where they have come from.
When the owner of the ponies contacts the Police (thinking they have been stolen) they immediately put him through
to our operations room.
Mr. Holroyd collected his ponies the next day - non the worse for their little outing. It turns out they escaped
when their field fencing was vandalised.
January 1st 00.20hrs
No sooner has the New Year arrived when PRP receive a call. At first count, more than ten horses have escaped from
their field onto the M49. At least three of them have been hit by cars, one is severley injured. We arrange the fastest possible veterinary attention from our British Equine Veterinary Association
Emergency database whilst offering advice and help over the phone to the Police and Highways Agency.
A neighbouring farmer accommodated the ponies temporarily in one of his fields whilst attempts were made to trace an
owner.
So, some happy endings and some not so happy endings. Just a selection of what we deal with on top of our everyday
breakdown and rescue business.
Be sure to look after your vehicles and your fencing - but if it all goes wrong, you may rest
assured we will there to look after you.
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