Firefighters rescue Bruce the bull from bog

An 800kg stock bull has been rescued by Mid and West Wales fire and rescue service crews from Brecon and Pontardawe fire stations after he got stuck in a bog on Sunday (11 May).

Bruce, who is nine years old, had become stuck up to his chest near Llanfihangel Nant Bran in Brecon and it took the rescue team about two-and-a-half hours to extricate him.

See also: Farmer saves sheep from quicksand in Morecambe Bay

The all-terrain vehicle and pick-up truck from Brecon fire station, along with the animal rescue team from Pontardawe fire station were mobilised to the scene.

They used animal rescue lines, slings, straps and trowels to free the animal.

Assisting the rescue mission were Honddu Vets as well as Bruce’s owners’ friends and neighbours.

A spokesperson for Mid and West Wales fire and rescue service told Farmers Weekly that this incident was especially challenging due to the remote location of the boggy area that Bruce was stuck in. 

© Mid & West Wales Fire & Rescue Service

© Mid & West Wales Fire & Rescue Service

“No regular vehicles could reach there, which required the all-terrain vehicle to shuttle personnel and equipment to the area,” the spokesperson said.

Owner Marilyn Jones was grateful to the team for helping to rescue her bull.

“Thank you so much to everyone who has been involved in rescuing Bruce,” she said, adding that Bruce was now happy eating in his field, having been for a long walk since being rescued.