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First responders save two horses from frozen pond in Brandon Twp.
The horses, named Walther and Indy, wandered on to a frozen pond of a private property in Brandon Township after slipping through their gate on Thursday morning.
BRANDON TOWNSHIP, Mich. (FOX 2) - It was a rescue mission that involved several people in a northern Oakland County community where two horses fell through the ice in a small pond, with one of them on the brink of death.
The backstory:
The horses, named Walther and Indy, wandered on to a frozen pond of a private property in Brandon Township after slipping through their gate on Thursday morning.
Later, their owner, Penelope, found them in the freezing water. Unfortunately, Walther was in worse shape as he was older and larger.
"You could see the icicles hanging off his face and off mane and the other, Indy, kept going up to Walther trying to keep him aware of what was going on," said Sgt. Richard Hubble with the Oakland County Sheriff's Office.
It became a race against time as officials from the Brandon Township Fire Department and officials and the Oakland County Sheriff's Office worked to get the horses to safety. The 15 men who took charge used a tow strap and eventually got Indy out.
Meanwhile, Brandon Township fire Chief Dave Kwapis said Walther was deteriorating and not moving around like Indy.
Fire crews came up with a pulley system and tripod that took four hours to get Walther out. Officials say he was close to death and could not stand.
Dr. Crystal Dewitt with Hadley Hill Equine, said he was very hypothermic.
The township pitched in, with the local vet arriving on the scene and a sanctuary called Abraham Ranch offering their heated barn to try and keep Walther alive.
Jay Reynolds owned the ranch and stayed up from dusk til dawn working with others to help Walter. Fortunately, Walter was saved!
"I got to watch him stand up and to be able to call Penelope and let her know Walther is up and moving, priceless, just to hear that little girl’s happiness was priceless," said Hubble.
Walter has some recovery left to do, but he is standing and eating, showing signs that he will be okay, thanks to help from the community.
The Source: FOX 2 reporter Jessica Dupnack talked with Brandon Township fire Chief Dave Kwapis, Sgt. Richard Hubble with the Oakland County Sheriff's Office, and Dr. Crystal Dewitt with Hadley Hill Equine.