RSPCA rescuer recalls elephants on loose in Prestwich

Brian Oxley, who retired in 2002, spent 32 years working for the animal welfare charity across Greater Manchester and Lancashire, helping to rescue thousands of animals.

The 85-year-old has a family connection with the RSPCA spanning 150 years, with his two brothers, dad, and uncle all working for the charity.

The 85-year-old has a family connection with the RSPCA spanning 150 years (Image: Supplied)

A highlight of his career was when he was called to help round up elephants that had escaped from a circus transporter.

He said: "I always remember the night the animal circus was on its way through town when one of the vehicles containing elephants hit a kerb in Prestwich.

"The transporter turned on its side and all the elephants were loose on the road.

"The police had to close the road, myself and the fire service were called to help - and of course none of this was in anyone’s training manual.

"It was a bit of an eye-opener dealing with such huge animals but with the help of circus workers we managed to round them up and entice them back into the transporter but it took all night and was not for the faint-hearted.

"Fortunately none of the elephants were injured in the ordeal and I was tired but as I returned to my RSPCA van I realised it had been hit by another vehicle which had driven away.

"My van was a write-off so it wasn’t the best ending to such a strange shift when I was so tired after being up all night."

Mr Oxley joined the charity in 1971, following in the footsteps of his brothers, Bruce and John, and their father, Frank Oxley senior, who joined the RSPCA as an inspector in 1932 in Bristol.

He said: "Rescuing animals was really in all our hearts from a young age with dad being in the job - we were born into it."

Mr Oxley, who lives in Bury with his wife Julia, has been involved in hundreds of rescues during his career.

Brian Oxley going down a mine to rescue a dog (Image: Supplied)

He recalls an incident where a man reported his dog was stuck in a drift mine in Rossendale.

He said: "He was buried deep in the tunnel and couldn’t move but could whimper.

"We think he had probably chased a fox or badger down and then got stuck."

Mr Oxley said: Rescuing animals was really in all our hearts from a young age with dad being in the job - we were born into it. (Image: Supplied)

Chris Sherwood, RSPCA chief executive, said: "Brian’s experience shows the lengths our rescuers have always gone to save all animals and bring those responsible for cruelty to justice.

"We are more than our vital rescue work - for 200 years we have been changing laws, attitudes and behaviours towards animals.

"We at the RSPCA have a crucial role to play but we can’t do it alone.

"We need as many people as possible to join us to build a better world for animals."