RSPCA steps in as big freeze poses threat to livestock

Snow left many farms cut off from major roads with many worried their animals would be isolated from their food source.

Inspectors said that a number of farms in the Coquet Valley, in Northumberland, were left struggling after snow drifts reaching waist-height and isolated farms.

Earlier this month, the RSPCA joined forces with the National Farmers' Union and launched a new Farm Animal Welfare Hotline to help farmers and their animals caught in the snow, ice and sub-zero temperatures.

Acting chief inspector Mark Gent said that in one instance, 500 sheep were trapped in a field because of waist-deep snow.

The RSPCA made preparations to deploy a helicopter that could drop feed for the stranded sheep if necessary, but, luckily, the farmer was eventually able to get food to them as the weather started to improve.