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Short-legged pony causes rescue false alarms in England

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A Hampshire, United Kingdom, pony named Mayflower has caused concerned passersby to call 999 (the British equivalent of 911) four times to report that she’s stuck in the mud. Nice, right? It’s always good to know that caring people are looking out for animals in harm’s way.

There’s just one problem.

Mayflower isn’t actually stuck in the mud at all -- she just has incredibly short legs. When viewed in comparison with the other ponies in her pasture (yes, the darker animal in the photo above is a pony, not a horse), it’s easy to see why one would make the mistake of assuming she’s sinking. From the Telegraph:

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Animal rescue expert Anton Phillips, of Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, was dispatched with 12 other firefighters to help the animal before they realized it was not in any distress. Two fire engines and a specialist lifting vehicle also attended the marshes by the River Test in Southampton. Mr. Phillips, 50, said: ‘This was the fourth time we have been called out by members of the public who have seen this pony on the salt marsh ... From 200 yards away it does look like the pony is trapped in the mud, especially when it is stood next to New Forest ponies which are about twice as tall.’

Mayflower’s owner, Sandra Whitcher, has said that she’s a purebred Shetland pony, but some have speculated that she might be a cross between a Shetland and a New Forest pony. Whitcher has considered putting up a sign notifying passing motorists that the pony is not in danger, but this brings up another concern:

‘The only problem is that one day she might actually get stuck and then the fire brigade won’t turn up.’

According to the Telegraph, the taxpayer cost of the false alarms is about the equivalent of $11,000.

-- Lindsay Barnett

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