Hungry mule rescued from dried-up moat in England after sneaking out for a snack

In Essex, England, a mule looking for a tasty snack escaped through a damaged fence and walked onto ground that looked safe but wasn't.

The animal sank into a dried-up moat and had to be pulled from the mud by firefighters, according to Talker News. 

Here's what to know

On Aug. 19, Squealy, a mule living in Great Hallingbury, Essex, slipped away from her home and wandered onto a neighboring property while looking for food. The grassy-looking area was actually a moat with wet mud beneath a dry crust, which broke under her weight.

Her owner, Carole Travell, said the dry weather appears to have been a major factor in the incident.

"She has food and water and shelter and friends, but they're all getting sick to death of just having very dry hay, because we haven't had any rain," Travell said.

After finding Squealy, the 68-year-old called the fire brigade. Rescue crews then spent about three hours freeing the mule, which had been transported from Ireland.

More background

A damaged stretch of fence let Squealy slip out, and the moat she came across seemed dry enough to cross until it turned out to be a muddy trap.

"Mules are very, very clever and she obviously thought 'I'll wriggle past that, go for a walk, and see if I can find something nicer to eat,'" she said.

Travell also said that while the green surface appeared dry, it was actually mud. 

Travell said, "I sat with her and talked to her — she wasn't panicking or thrashing around, she was very calm."

What can be done?

Joe Fisher, an Essex Fire crew manager, said firefighters dug around the mule before finally getting her free.

Fencing and land conditions can change during long dry spells. Ground that looks safe to step on at first glance — such as ditches, pond edges, and old moats — can quickly become unstable when a hardened surface forms over wet mud below.

Secure enclosures and enough appealing food and water can help when pasture conditions worsen.

Even well-cared-for animals may still be tempted to wander if greener forage appears nearby.

"It was such a relief to see her up and about, eating and reuniting with her herd, and she even came up to us and let us stroke her," Fisher said.

Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.