A story to lift your moooood.
A cow was rescued from the water after being spotted at a Dongeal beach on Wednesday afternoon (27 October).
The volunteer crew of Bundoran RNLI was called out after receiving reports of the cow in distress in the surf at Tullan Strand in Bundoran.
In a statement, the RNLI Bundoran Lifeboat Station says a passerby had spotted the animal in the water and immediately alerted the Irish Coast Guard at Malin Head who in turn paged the lifeboat crew.
The four-person crew launched its inshore lifeboat just after 4.30pm and made their way in rough seas to Tullan Strand to assess the situation.
Meanwhile, a number of other volunteer crew attended via the shore to offer visual backup to the lifeboat crew.
With the swell between three and four metres, conditions were difficult for the lifeboat to get closer to the shore as visibility of the cow was also tricky for the shore crew.
However, the animal was soon spotted, by which time the Sligo based helicopter Rescue 118 was on scene.
Using the noise and downdraft of the helicopter, its crew were able to encourage the cow back to safety on the shore.
Both the lifeboat and helicopter stayed on scene to ensure the safety of the cow which was tended to onshore before both units were stood down.
"We were delighted to see a successful outcome from today’s call out and would like to thank those who assisted in the rescue of the cow," Bundoran RNLI Helm Michael Patton said.
"If you are ever worried that your pet or animal is in danger, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard, rather than putting yourself at risk by going into the water after them."
Main image via Facebook/RNLI Bundoran Lifeboat Station
