EMS rescues horse from sinkhole

Dawson County Emergency Medical Services doesn't just answer the needs of citizens it also reaches out to animals, too.

Thats what happened at 9:30 last Thursday morning. EMS responded to the Hugh Stowers Road to help a horse that was trapped in a sink hole.

"The animal had been located in the hole at approximately 8 a.m. and several attempts to free the animal had been unsuccessful," EMS Chief Lanier Swafford said.

EMS used a fire hose and a tractor to rescue the horse.

"With the use of a makeshift sling and a tractor, the horse was carefully removed without injury by DCES personnel and several area residents," Swafford said.

Assistant Chief Danny Speaks, who is also a canine medic, gave the horse oxygen through a high-flow oxygen mask. He also cooled him down with water.

"We just kept cooling him down and after the rescue he just laid down and rolled over on his side," Satterfield said. "Once he rested enough to stand, he stood up and we walked him over to the barn."

Satterfield said a veterinarian gave the horse a shot for pain.

Its not known how long the horse had been in the sink hole or how it got there, Satterfield said.

Dawson County EMT's are all trained as canine medics, able to detect symptoms in animals and determine what kind of treatment is needed.