Barbed Wire
It’s been a few days gone since I experienced this horrifying view and still have thrills coming down my spine while thinking about it. But I finally got a courage to write about it and show some photos.
As a keen hill-walker I have come upon crossing the fences on number of times, and every time I had to jump over it I was wondering why farmers use the barbed wire to separate their fields where the sheep are grazing? There is no wolf and wild cats, anything that could danger their livestock. And the only wild animals I could see were deer, rabbits, and mountain gouts. There is fox too but they don’t jump over fences and they can always get through under them.
So, on the way back from mine early morning photo walk in the Wicklow mountains I encountered something I still can’t describe how horrible it was and how helpless and useless I was… The little fawn got caught by the barbed wire and struggling so hard tried to free himself. When I met him I froze and didn’t know what to do. I tried to approach it and have a look from close but he started struggling harder so I stopped and backed up. He relaxed for a while. I grabbed my camera then. Still had no idea how to help this little creature without scaring him much more. I decided to walk up to the nearest house, which wasn’t too far away, to ask for a help. But inside I knew I can’t leave that little deer. After a quick photo check to analyse what way he got caught, I walked back and decided to just approach him, unhook his leg and let him go free. And when I got back there he freed himself and was already limping away. I was so relieved and hoped he got back to his mama 🙂
Loads of blood was left on the wire and grass 
f5.6, 1/400 sec, 75mm, ISO 200, 0EV
f8, 1/250 sec, 200mm, ISO 200, 0EV
f4.5, 1/640 sec, 32mm, ISO 200, 0EV
Pawel Pentlinowski Photography 
Apparently this is also a issue here in the States, especially in areas with lots of range land for livestock. Luckily I’ve never seen an animal caught up on the barbed wire firsthand. Though I have seen two instances of dead birds that have had their feet ensnared in the loops of the barb.
Definitely a horrific scene for you to encounter, but thanks for the photographs nevertheless.
So sad
Makes my heart ache just thinking about it … poor thing. I would’ve been hysterical.
I’m glad you couldn’t leave it…that you went back. For its sake and for yours. 🙂
It’s heartbreaking to see an animal struggle and not be able to help it. We had an injured fawn in our yard for several days but he finally recovered and was able to leave with his mama..But it was hard to watch.
Such a horrible thing to see, but I am happy he got loose by himself. Because a wild animal will be so afraid when you get close that it can damage itself more. Barbed wire is forbidden in Norway, with a good reason.
Thank you all guys for reading my post and leaving your comments. Hope you and I will never have to experience things like that. I think personally that a barbed wire should be banned as it is in Norway. I really don’t understand the purpose of it here in Ireland
Just amazing that it’s still used so abundantly… I’ve been witness to such a horrific sight. I’m so happy this little one got away — it’s obviously in their path of food / grazing. I’ve also had run-ins with it, working at barns. This needs to be made ILLEGAL, as it is in many European countries. Just awful.
That is so sad, but I’m glad he got out. I hope he is doing well.
A thoughtful post