A Monroe Township horse found itself in serious trouble last night after becoming trapped in an icy in-ground pool, prompting a rapid response from local fire and EMS crews. The call came in at about 5:08 p.m., and responders worked from the pool’s edge until they were able to free the animal and return it safely to its owner.
Engine 32 was dispatched to the residence in Monroe Township, where crews coordinated the rescue and handled the extraction, according to Local 12. The station shared photos from the scene showing firefighters and EMS personnel working around the pool.
How crews freed the horse
Ice rescues involving large animals call for different tactics depending on the layout and conditions. Teams may rely on rope-and-pulley systems, specialized water-rescue gear, or, when it can be done safely, heavy equipment. In a separate Ross County response this week, crews used a backhoe to lift a horse out of a frozen swimming pool, as reported by the Scioto Valley Guardian. In other local incidents, crews have spent about an hour using ropes and pulleys to pull a horse from icy water, according to WCPO.
What owners and neighbors should know
Emergency responders consistently warn residents not to attempt animal ice rescues themselves and to call 911 so trained crews can manage the hazards. Local coverage has also urged owners to keep animals leashed and away from frozen ponds and pools. In a recent Pierce Township response, for example, crews turned an animal over to Clermont County Animal Control, as reported by FOX19.
Veterinary emergency guidance recommends wrapping chilled animals in blankets and seeking immediate veterinary care after an ice rescue, according to NCBI.
“Incidents like this highlight the diverse nature of the service we provide to our community,” the department told Local 12. The department thanked the responding crews for their coordination, and the horse was returned to its owner.
