Peek-a-moo: Calf sparks rescue mission after plunging into badger sett

The earth truly moo-ved for this hapless cow - after it got stuck neck-deep in a badger sett.

The unsuspecting calf was strolling through pastures in Looe, Cornwall, when the ground suddenly gave way.

Farmer Jim Candy heard the bovine's anguished moos and found it wedged up to its head in the earth.

Damaging a sett is illegal under a 1973 law to stop badger baiting but Mr Candy decided the only way to save the animal was to dig it out.

He said: "I knew something was wrong when I heard the cow calling for her calf before I even got to the field.

"After a short search, I found the week old calf wedged firmly in the badger hole. He was well and truly stuck and we had to dig him out.

"I know it is illegal to interfere with a badger set but felt that my first duty was to the calf."

The cow emerged with just a few scratches.

A spokesman for the RSPCA said: "We do appreciate the fact that this farmer was trying to rescue his calf and has been open and honest about the situation.

"We do encourage people not to disturb badger setts whenever possible."