Hero praised after dramatic photos showed him climbing down a rock face to save a stranded sheep
- A sheep got stuck on cliff between Porthgain and Aberieddy in Pembrokeshire after tumbling down to rocks
- A heroic man made his way across the clifftop down to the rock face and then pulled the sheep to safety
- The man has been hailed a hero by animal lovers but coastguard and RSPCA said his actions were dangerous
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A heroic man has been praised after saving the life of a stranded sheep which lost its footing on a clifftop and tumbled down to a rock face above the sea.
Pictures shows the man walking along the clifftop between Porthgain and Aberieddy in Pembrokeshire, Wales and then clambering down to the animal.
As he clings to the cliff face, he grabbed the 8 stone sheep by the scruff of the neck with just one arm and then hauled it to the safety of firm ground.
Pictures shows the man walking along the clifftop between Porthgain and Aberieddy, Wales and then clambering down to the animal
As he clings to the cliff face, he grabbed the 8 stone sheep by the scruff of the neck with just one arm and then hauler it to the safety of firm ground
The man has been hailed a hero by animal lovers.
Andrea Williams, who posted the pictures, wrote ‘During our walk from Porthgain to Aberiddy, we were spectators to an amazing act of human kindness today.
‘There were definitely some hand in mouth moments!
‘The sheep, I think, was thankful, she appeared to co-operate but once released just trotted off none the worse for her experience.
‘Well done that man!’
But the local coastguard and RSPCA condemned the man’s actions.
The local Broad Haven coastguards warned against similar actions, saying ‘We take nothing away from what this chap has chosen to do, however it could have ended so differently.
‘Putting yourself in danger is never a good idea.
‘The RSPCA were aware and were en route to enact the rescue safely.
‘If you’re on the coast and see anyone/anything in difficulty PLEASE call the Coastguard who can task a team of highly trained personnel to perform a rescue safely for all concerned.’
RSPCA inspector Ellie West, who was already arranging a rescue, said the middle-aged man’s derring-do exploits weren’t safe.
‘This isn’t to shame the gentleman that had done this incredible task, but to highlight to others the dangers.’
She said the rescue could have backfired because the sheep might have panicked as the man got close and plunged to her death.
‘It’s really common for sheep to jump into the sea as we approach them in situations like this.’