An eight-year-old Percheron named Becca is expected to heal after being trapped for hours underneath a foot bridge in the woods near her stables. According to reports, the horse apparently tried to cross the footbridge, but fell through and became wedged under the old bridge and could not get back on her feet.
Percheron horse - a challenge to rescuers
The rescue team, which uses special training and equipment to pull even the biggest horses up and out of trouble, was able to bring Becca back up on four legs.
© 2012 by Kersti Nebelsiek
The horse weighed over a ton and the horse's owner is thanking the Cherokee County Fire Department, Cherokee Animal Control, the Salacoa Volunteer Fire Department, and the amazing City of Milton Large Animal Rescue Team for saving Becca's life.
The rescue team -- which has been in existence for four years, and which uses special training and equipment to pull even the biggest horses up and out of trouble, safely -- was able to bring Becca back up on four legs.
According to Battalion Chief Bill Bourn of the Milton Fire Department's Large Animal Rescue Team when they reached the bridge where the horse was trapped: "At the point this horse was at, it had probably struggled for some time underneath the bridge, so the horse was exhausted," said . "Once it kind of got its legs under it a little bit and was able to stand for a little, it became quite stable."
"Everybody pulled together greatly, and I really appreciate it, to all the guys, they worked hard," said Becca's thankful owner, Denise Polydor. "With time, I'm sure she's going to be 100 percent."
The veterinarian told Polydor that Becca may have fractured her hip, but should be OK.
The City of Milton's Large Animal Rescue Team has responded to 80 emergency calls in the north metro Atlanta area since the team formed in August 2008. That's an average of one to two rescues a month.