Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services responded to an animal rescue call at approximately 11:20 this morning at 114 Hancock Mountain Trail in the Salacoa community of northwestern Cherokee County.

Firefighters arrived on the scene and were directed to the location of a large horse that was lying on its side underneath a small old bridge.  The horse appeared to be in distress and it was unknown as to how long it had been underneath the bridge.  Cherokee County Special Operations Chief, Darrell Mitchell, made a request to contact the Milton Animal Rescue Team and a wrecker service to help lift the animal back on its feet.

Cherokee County Firefighters, members with Cherokee Animal Control and Milton’s Animal Rescue Team were able to drag the horse from underneath the bridge.  The horse was later positioned so members of the rescue team could pull her up so she could stand on all fire.  The first attempt was unsuccessful as the horse collapsed and began to lie on its side again.  A second attempt was made and the horse was able to stand.  For a brief moment, it appeared that the horse was going to fall on its side again, but a tree helped to brace the horse and it continued to remain standing.  The horse was later lead out of the area and taken to a nearby pasture.

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