VIDEO: Fire Rescue crews rescue drowning horse in Lacrosse

Photo from video posted by Alachua County Sheriff’s Office

Staff report

LACROSSE, Fla. – On April 9, Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputies (ASO), along with Lacrosse Fire Rescue and Alachua County Fire Rescue (ACFR) crews, responded to a call for service on the northwest side of the county.

The deputies and firefighters found a horse drowning and exhausted in a retention pond, and ACFR firefighters dove into the pond to stabilize the horse and hold his head above water while the rest of the team devised a plan to rescue the horse.

ASO Rural Services had a vehicle with a winch, and responders created a harness from a six-inch strap. The team used a forward-assist technique to pull the horse to safety. After the horse was on dry land, he regained his strength, was reunited with his owner, and appeared to be uninjured.

A dramatic video of the rescue can be seen here.

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