Determine an appropriate rescue route and destination for the animal

The release or evacuation of an uninjured animal in an uncontrolled manner could worsen the existing incident, or cause a secondary incident, resulting in harm to people or the animal. The animal may behave unpredictably on its release; if it has a herding instinct it may try to return to other familiar animals.

Rescue route

Prior to commencing the rescue, it is essential to identify an appropriate rescue route to be used for the animal. This should take into consideration:

• The cordon controls required for the rescue route
• The species, size and behaviour of the animal
• The condition of the animal
• The environment the animal is in
• The presence of people or other animals
• How the animal will be controlled or contained along the route
• For information about the equipment that can be used for moving animals, refer to Move or lift the animal.

Destination

An appropriate destination for the animal should be identified prior to operational activity to carry out its release or evacuation. However, private land should not be used without the permission of the landowner, especially as this may have significant business and financial impacts on them. For example, a whole farm may need to be isolated if an infected animal has been transferred onto their private land.

Fire and rescue services should consider gathering information in Location Notices about potential locations that could be used for the release or evacuation of animals.

If the animal needs to be released or evacuated, identifying its owner may assist, as they can be involved in decisions that need to be made. Sources of owner identification could include microchips, collar tags, branding, tattoos, ear tags, pet passports or other documents.

Before an incident can be closed, the released or evacuated animal needs to be handed over to its owner, if they are present. If the owner is not present, or if there is no owner, the animal should be placed into the care of a suitable person or organisation.

If the animal is in an involved or damaged mode of transport, an alternative and appropriate means of transit or transport for the animal may need to be sourced.

Onward transportation of an animal

The Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 deals with the protection of animals during transport and related operations. In particular Annex I, Chapter I provides the criteria for whether an animal is fit for the intended journey. For example, the animal should be able to move independently without pain or walk unassisted and should not have severe open wounds. There are also age and size limitations for the transport of animals in terms of bedding materials and space.

However, sick or injured animals may be considered fit for transport if they are slightly injured or ill and transport would not cause additional suffering. This decision should preferably be taken by a veterinary surgeon.

A sick or injured animal may be transported under veterinary supervision for, or following, veterinary treatment or diagnosis. However, the transportation of the animal is only allowed if the animal is not subjected to unnecessary suffering or ill treatment.

Annex I, Chapter II of the regulations provides details about the means of transport. For example, it should be designed, constructed, maintained and operated so as to avoid injury and suffering and to ensure the safety of the animal. It should also protect the animal from inclement weather, extreme temperatures and adverse changes in climatic conditions.

Invasive non-native (alien) animals

The release of any invasive non-native (alien) animal must adhere to the legislation in force. A special licence is required for the release of these animals. Therefore, if personnel are in any doubt about whether an animal can be released, they should contact the relevant government department or a specialist animal welfare charity for advice or assistance before doing so.

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the release of an accidentally restrained animal from immediate entrapment is an exception as long as it is not relocated; this is not considered an intentional release and is therefore legally allowed.

However, in Scotland there is no exception for the release of an invasive non-native (alien) animal, making this activity illegal.

It is an offence if an act, or failure to act, causes an animal to suffer unnecessarily. Therefore, consideration should be given to requesting specialist resources to provide assistance, potentially including euthanasia, to avoid the suffering of an invasive non-native (alien) animal.