On Saturday May 1, at approximately 8:08 p.m., the Escondido Police and Fire Communication Center received a report of a serious injury accident on E. Lincoln Avenue near N. Fig Street. Escondido police officers, a fire engine and paramedic ambulance were dispatched to the scene. The first arriving Engine Company found that the occupants of the vehicle were not injured, however, a horse trailer that contained two horses had disconnected from the towing vehicle and rolled on its side after striking a curb. Both horses were lying on their side, one on top of the other, trapped in the small trailer.
The Captain immediately requested additional resources including Animal Services, a Large Animal Rescue Team and a veterinarian. As Firefighters cut away pieces of the trailer in an attempt to free the horses, the horses became agitated causing concern that rescue efforts may cause further injuries. Once the veterinarian and Large Animal Rescue Team arrived, the horses were sedated and were safety removed. Fortunately, the horses appeared to have relatively minor injuries. Animal Services officers assisted the owner with transportation of the horses from the scene. This was an uncommon rescue incident that had a positive outcome due to the collaboration among several service providers.
