THEY are known for rescuing cats stuck up trees.

But firefighters in Oxfordshire have also saved pigeons stuck on roofs, puppies trapped in sofas and even a cat caught in a reclining chair.

New figures reveal Oxfordshire firefighters have rescued 135 animals in the past three years at an estimated cost of £16,835 to the taxpayer.

Crews have helped save 37 cats, 25 horses, 22 dogs, 16 cows, 10 deer, four sheep and a donkey. Some 17 birds were rescued including 10 pigeons.

The Oxford Mail used the Freedom of Information Act to get the list of animal incidents Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service attended during 2008 and 2010.

Nigel Wilson, Oxfordshire County Council’s area manager in charge of operations, said such rescues were important. He said: “The work they are doing is preventing other people taking serious risks which could lead to a bigger rescue operation.”

Rescues by firefighters included saving a pigeon from Barclays Bank in Witney using a 40 metre-high ladder and using hydraulic equipment to release a dog trapped under a car in Marcham.

Kidlington watch manager Gary Crone, who leads large animal rescues, said he trained the Kidlington crew monthly to rescue distressed animals.

The crew also practises once a year using Bedford and Luton Fire Service’s manikin 300kg horse at Abingdon and Witney College’s Common Leys Farm near Hailey.

He said: “The reason we go to these incidents is because we have the training, we have the equipment, and we can go and resolve these incidents quickly and safely.

“We are a fire and rescue service we have a role in saving life – any life.”

In August, firefighters searched for more than two hours to find Digger – a terrier who disappeared down a fox hole in fields near Shillingford.

Watch manager Crone added: “There will always be that kind of stuff.”

But he said last year the crew was rescuing a cow stuck in Banbury, but left the rescue to attend a road accident. He added: “Humans will always take priority over animals.”

RSPCA east superintendent Kelly Rivers said: “The continued support and assistance received from our local and regional fire and rescue teams continues to prove to be an extremely valuable asset when conducting animal rescues, ensuring all difficult rescues are achieved swiftly and with minimal stress caused to an injured or trapped animal.”

STRANGE, BUT TRUE Horse released from a horsebox in West Lockinge Farm in March 2008.

Crews were called to help a puppy in a swimming pool in Fencott in November 2008.

Duck rescued on lake using a boat in Oxford, August 2009.

Kitten freed from a gap between two walls in Oxford in August 2009.

Hydraulic equipment used to rescue a puppy from a sofa in Bicester in January 2010.

Dog rescued from a quarry face in Carterton in May 2010.

Cat rescued from a chimney using a six-metre ladder in Oxford in June 2010.

Pigeon released in Banbury using a six-metre ladder and scissors June 2010.

Two bullocks pulled from a swamp in Park Farm in Oxford, July 2010.

Dog cut out of banister using a handsaw in Oxford, 2010.

Cat released after getting stuck in reclining chair in Banbury, November 2010.