Bunnell, FL - FCSO, along with several other organizations, worked together to rescue a horse that was stuck in a septic tank on Tuesday.
According to Laura Williams, Public Information Officer for FCSO, it was around 11 or 11:30 on Tuesday morning when Mercy, a 24-year-old female horse, somehow fell into a septic tank on her owner's property and got stuck. "She was stuck in the septic tank for more than 3 hours, probably closer to 4," said Williams.
Palm Coast and Flagler County firefighters, a large animal rescue team from St. Johns County and UF, Agricultural Deputy Steve Williams, Palm Coast Public Works, and Sheriff's deputies were all at 3505 Clove Ave. working together to save the horse.
To get the horse out of the tank, an "A-frame" was built which, along with a strap and a sked, helped provide the leverage needed to get Mercy out. She was tranquilized and had a mask over her eyes so she couldn't see what was going on. "There was concern that the septic tank would cave with her weight in there as they were pulling her out," said Williams. "Thankfully, it did not."
When she was pulled out, she was hosed down with antiseptic fluids and brushed clean. "She had some cuts on her, but she was standing just fine and didn't appear to be injured in any way, thank goodness," said Williams. Now it's just a matter of keeping an eye on Mercy to make sure she doesn't get an infection.
Video of the rescue can be seen at
FCSO's Facebook page.
(Photos courtesy FCSO)
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