In an unusual turn of events in Lake View Terrace, a horse found itself in a precarious situation after becoming trapped in a sinkhole on Wednesday. The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) and the City of Los Angeles Department of Animal Services' Specialized Mobile Animal Rescue Team (SMART) were called in to stage a complex rescue operation. The incident, which took place at 10424 W Foothill Bl, was first reported at 12:35 PM.
The horse, weighing in at approximately 1200 pounds, was discovered partially submerged up to its chest and neck in a backyard sinkhole. Despite its distress, the horse remained conscious and alert. LAFD responders promptly started to carefully dig around the animal, while developing a plan to securely extract the trapped equine. A specialized harness may be used to safely lift the horse out of the hole by helicopter, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.
The coordination between the crews on the ground and animal rescue specialists aimed to ensure the safety of both the horse and the rescuers. The LAFD made efforts to keep the horse calm as they initiated the delicate process of removing the soil with shovels, as noted by the Los Angeles Fire Department. The exact cause of the sinkhole remains unknown.
As preparations for the potential hoist rescue unfolded, LAFD public information officers Captain Erik Scott and Firefighter David Ortiz were expected to arrive on the scene. The horse's ordeal comes during a period of increased community concern over the dangers posed by severe weather conditions. LAFD ground and air resources, alongside SMART, were thoroughly engaged in devising a strategy that may allow to safely pull the animal from its unfortunate trap.
