Couple's horse in peril, escaping and facing a potential drowning incident
Fire Departments in North West Mecklenburg Successfully Rescue Horse and Cows
In a series of recent incidents, fire departments in North West Mecklenburg, including Papenhusen and Hohenkirchen, have demonstrated their expertise in large animal rescue. These rescues involved the safe extraction of horses and cows from distressing situations, often coordinating with veterinary services and local farmers.
Two weeks ago, the Hohenkirchen fire department was called to the scene of a distressed horse named Continental in Hanstorf. Firefighter Manuel Schröder explained that the ground kept giving way, making the rescue operation particularly challenging. To prevent the horse from sinking further, firefighters from Papenhusen secured it with a fire hose. The horse weighed approximately 600 kilograms, adding to the complexity of the operation.
The Hohenkirchen fire department, specialised in large animal rescue, was also called to the scene. They used their large animal rescue harness, which they have employed five times, including this incident. With the harness slid under the horse, 20 firefighters used sheer muscle power to pull the horse out of the mud. The horse extraction took only half a minute, and the entire operation lasted approximately 45 minutes.
The relieved owners expressed their gratitude towards the emergency services for their quick and professional help. The horse was taken for a check to see if it had suffered any injuries.
A similar incident occurred in Lüblow, where the Hohenkirchen fire department rescued several cows from a slurry pit. Action had to be delayed until the arrival of the Hohenkirchen fire department, as their professional help was crucial to the safe extraction of the animals.
These rescues highlight the importance of fire departments in North West Mecklenburg being equipped and trained for large animal rescue. This type of rescue requires special handling techniques distinct from human rescue, including knowledge of animal behaviour and use of agricultural rescue tools. The collaborative nature of these operations often involves local farmers, veterinarians, and sometimes animal welfare organisations to guarantee the animal's safety and health during the rescue process.
General best practices for large animal rescue in rural fire services include assessing the situation to prevent further injury to the animal, setting up safe rescue zones, using appropriate lifting and transport equipment, ensuring animal calmness through expert handlers, and post-rescue veterinary care.
While specific detailed protocols or reports on these North West Mecklenburg fire departments' procedures or the mentioned rescues were not found in the available search results, these rescues align with these general best practices. The relief of the horse's owners was palpable, although there was still much excitement afterwards.
Firefighter Manuel Schröder from Hohenkirchen, who specializes in large animal rescue, shared a harrowing story about racing against time to save a distressed horse called Continental using horse-racing techniques to secure the animal and swiftly extract it from the mud. After Lüblow experienced a similar situation involving cows, the Hohenkirchen fire department once again proved their proficiency with a successful rescue operation, emphasizing the importance of sports-like precision and determination in these situations.
