Wildlife campaigner supporting ex Royal Marine from Essex's evacuation efforts
Broadcaster and wildlife campaigner from Hertfordshire works to get Pen Farthing and animals back to the UK
Broadcaster and wildlife campaigner Dominic Dyer was asked by Pen Farthing to help with the 'Operation Ark' case which has been going on in Afghanistan.
A plane has been secured to get the refugees at the scene and rescued animals back to the UK, but they have faced opposition from the government.
They are currently stuck in the airport circle, with no guarantee they will all be allowed into the UK on the privately funded rescue fight which had been planned.
Pen Farthing is currently determined to get his sanctuary of animals as well as staff and volunteers back safely, but there has been accusations made that they are 'prioritising pets over people.'
Tackling the 'pets or people' debate
The campaigner told us this wasn't the case and that they have put plans in place to rescue refugees as well. He stated:
"The pets before people thing is misleading. I think it didn't need to be that way... People want to see it end well. I think they'd like to see the pets and the people home. Whether that can be done is a different thing but it was definitely worth trying to do. And I hope in time it will come about."
We have an airplane that we've raised money for, not a taxpayer plane. The animals would go in the hold, it's the people that would go in the seats. "
The plane is privately funded by a supporter of 'Operation Ark' which has been approved for Kabul airport but
Dyer noted that although Farthing had the opportunity to leave, he wouldn't have taken it without his mission being over. He stated: "He was never going to leave his people or his animals. That's not the sort of person he is and I do think that's reflected in his personality; his courage and commitment."
Dyer also added that there is a common misconception where people believe that he is influencing Farthing and what he is doing in Afghanistan. He said:
"He came to me because I have some experience an knowledge and I can give him ideas and thoughts but he is his own man, there's no question of that. He takes his own view and he does it very strongly."
The campaigner also spoke out on ITV's Good Morning Britain this morning and became emotional as he discussed the issue.
He noted:
"We saw pictures yesterday where they'd been pushed away from the gates after hours in the sun, they had their cages out on the streets with water being given to the animals." "That is very moving, that's why I went into tears on Good Morning Britain this morning because when I think about that...that's what motivated me.