Cow rescued after nine days at bottom of Devon cliffs Published duration 31 August 2018

media caption The heifer is taken off the boat

A cow trapped at the bottom of cliffs for more than a week has been rescued by firefighters and the RSPCA.

The animal was spotted in its precarious position on rocks between Hallsands and Start Point, Devon, by a member of public on 22 August.

Farmer Fred Ansell fed hay to the heifer, nicknamed Rocky, by kayak.

On Friday, the year-old Devon Red Ruby was stunned by a vet before being levered into a boat and taken to safety on a nearby beach.

Mr Ansell said: "The rescue operation went excellently. Rocky is standing up and looks bright and happy."

image caption The heifer was sedated by a vet before being brought to shore by boat

image copyright Fred Ansell

image copyright Fred Ansell

image copyright Jeff Gillard image caption The RSPCA, RNLI Salcombe lifeboat crew, HM Coastguard, fire service and a vet all assisted in the operation

Rocky was transferred to a trailer to be taken back to Start Farm, where she will be fully checked over by a vet.