The New Year is off to a busy start for the WC DART Team!! In the midst of the January 6th Snowfall which caused stand still traffic on the main roads and people were advised to stay home….a call came in from WEMA’s Dispatcher, Adam- requesting assistance for a horse who fell through a cattle grate in Watertown… The snow continuing to fall, the mare was shivering and covered with our WC DART Jackets as the Grate was removed, and Reba the Quarter Horse was lifted out with a tractor and tow ropes, and assisted to stand up. Reba and her owner walked her back to the barn. The Vet came and assed her the next day and reported Horses with this type of incident, usually have fracture (s) and Reba was in good shape and got a good report!
3/4/2022 The Department of Agriculture requested WC DART to assist with a Sheep and 2 lambs running at large beneath I-40 – WEMA approved, and the Team set out to evaluate the situation ….
The sheep and her lambs when they felt threatened, would run for safety to higher ground which meant they seemed to like being under the overpass, running towards westbound traffic, of I-40, to escape pursuit. The owner caught the Sheep, leaving the 2 lambs at large…..Luckily Miss Jane, the neighbor had a kind heart and would feed them every morning at 6:15 am. At first, unsuccessful to catch the lambs, due to lack of daylight and really fassst lambs… the Plan was set to return in the morning at 5:45 am to get in place to trap the lambs when they come to feed at 6:15. The mother Sheep was brought back to the feeding station, placed in a XL cage with a rope attached to the door…..The Mother sheep called to her young lambs and they called back ….working their way to her side…..Miss Jane pulled that rope and the door closed as planned. The Team secured the gate, then assisted with transferring the sheep and lambs to their rides home ! Miss Jane, The owners and WC DART did a great job!!! Thank you!
Wilson County Disaster Animal Response Team 