Sunny, a 30-year-old male horse, had been stuck in a fence where he was corralled Friday. Rescuers attempted to free him before he fell down a 50-foot hillside.
After two unsuccessful attempts to help the horse get upright, the operation transitioned to a hoist operation. He was sedated by the L.A. Animal Services Veterinarian in preparation for the rescue.
The LAFD helicopter prepared for the operation by removing a water-dropping tank from the helicopter normally used to fight wildfires. This exposed a hook capable of carrying the 1,000-pound horse.
Firefighters respond to horse stranded on hillside in Sunland
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LAFD Search and Rescue and the L.A. Animal Services Specialized Mobile Animal Rescue Team were on scene to assist and provide medical care.
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Sunny was safely hoisted to secure ground where he was treated by a veterinarian.