Stuck deer in Louth is RSPCA’s most dramatic rescue of 2024

A deer that was freed after it became wedged between two walls has been voted the RSPCA's most dramatic of the year.

The tricky rescue was captured on camera, in which the deer was trapped upside down in a tiny gap between two houses.

A cat that was perched on a 45ft railway viaduct and a dog trapped between two bars in a metal fence were also among the charity's list of most memorable moments.

Other shocking animal rescues include a swan that crash-landed on the National Space Centre roof and foxes that had fallen through a skylight.

Animal Rescue Officer Karen Nix, who was called out to rescue the deer in Louth in January, said: “This was a tricky rescue because the deer was trapped so tightly and, to complicate matters, was also upside down - it must have been terrifying for him.

"Thankfully, he was freed and it was such a relief to watch him run free into the undergrowth.”

In May, a fox had to be cut free after getting a strawberry plant pot stuck on his head in a garden in Wandsworth, London.

Animal rescue Officer Sam Matthews, who attended the scene, said: “I thought I was going to need to cut the fox out but thankfully I managed to carefully wiggle him free, one ear at a time.

"I checked him over and he wasn’t injured so I released him there and then so he could find his way back to the family den.”

In Juna, a swan crash landed on the roof of the National Space Centre, which also featured on the charity's top 17 moments of the year.

RSPCA Inspector Allison North said: "The swan had crash landed on the roof and became tangled under tarpaulin so wasn’t able to take back off again.

“Thankfully we managed to get to him, check him over and he wasn’t injured so we released him back into the wild.

"Hopefully, he won’t be trying to fly off to infinity and beyond anytime soon!”

In March, a cat used up one of its nine lives in Huddersfield, West Yorks., after becoming trapped on a ledge of a 45ft railway viaduct.

Animal Rescue Officer Emmeline Myall rescued the cat with the help of a cherry picker.

She said: “As we went up in the cherry picker to try and rescue him a couple of trains went past at speed.

"It must have been a terrifying experience and he was very lucky to escape serious injury.

"Looking at the location, he must have walked along the tracks for some time before stopping where he did.

"I don’t think I’ve ever rescued a cat from such a precarious situation before.”

In September, where two foxes fell three metres through a broken skylight and became trapped in an empty flat in Ramsgate, Kent.

Police called the RSPCA after the foxes refused to leave through an open door.

Inspector Tina Nash said: "The two cubs were crouched on top of the kitchen wall cabinets and were clearly very frightened.

"There was shattered glass all over the floor as well as a brick so we believe the skylights had been smashed and the foxes, who were exploring the flat roof above, fell through and got stuck.”

Another dramatic rescue involved a cat who was spotted dashing through a narrow opening at St. Paul's Cathedral in London in July.

The cathedral had closed for the day but with the permission of on-site security, RSPCA officer Sidonie Smith climbed down beneath the cathedral to search for the cat.

She said: “When I spoke to security about gaining access it turned out it was an opening down to an old storage basement that apparently no-one has used a key to get down to for 25 years.

“Fortunately, the cat had fallen onto a bed of leaves and she was largely unscathed. She’d shot through the gap above and dropped down into the basement.”

The cat - a Burmese - was named Paula by RSPCA staff who took her in.

A Cane Corso was saved by Animal Rescue Officer Liz Bradley in Sheffield, South York., after becoming trapped between bars in a metal fence in April.

Passersby were alerted after hearing the dog's cries - but thankfully the dog had no major injuries.

Liz said: “Thankfully she only had a small wound to her leg, but it could have been much worse as the metal fence was very sharp.”

She wasn’t microchipped so the charity took her into its care and tried to find her owner, believing she may have run off during a walk.

RSPCA Chief Inspectorate Officer Steve Bennett added: “For 200 years the RSPCA’s dedicated and passionate team of rescuers have been helping animals in need.

“We’re here for every kind; but with almost 1 million calls for help every year, we can’t do this alone.

“We’re incredibly grateful to all of the animal-loving members of the public who have helped rescue animals themselves, taken them to vets for specialist care, as well as the other agencies who help save the lives of animals in need, from the fire service to the police to small local rescues!

“We will always use our specialist skills to help animals when we can and we’re grateful to other agencies for working with us to help animals in need.

“But there are also lots of ways the public can help animals themselves too; after all, the quicker an animal gets help, the better.

“If we all work together, we can create a kinder and better world for all animals.”

ENDS