HORSE RESCUED AFTER 100-FOOT FALL IN JAMUL

East County News Service

Photos courtesy of San Diego Humane Society

April 17, 2023 Jamul)-- An 8 year-old horse named Dobby is safe this afternoon, after falling 100 ft off a trail in Jamul Sunday. San Diego Humane Society’s Emergency Response Team (ERT) was called to assist Cal Fire and the San Diego County Department of Animal Services (DAS) near Honey Springs Ranch Truck trail yesterday afternoon.

“Eight members of our ERT hiked 4-5 miles down to reach the horse, who was standing on an incline,” says Nina Thompson,  San Diego Humane Society’s Director of Public Relations. “They got him across a stream, to get him on flat ground. At approximately 1 a.m., they returned a second time to provide food, water and a blanket, to keep him as comfortable as possible overnight.”

There was a preliminary plan to try and hoist the horse out with a San Diego Fire helicopter at daylight, but their copters were unable to fly today.

So  the Humane Society’s ERT hiked back to the horse this morning, along with a veterinarian, who could monitor wounds on  Dobby’s abdomen and leg.

During a 4-hour effort, they walked the horse back in tough terrain to the staging area up top, where Cal Fire and DAS were on standby. A veterinarian re-bandaged Dobby’s leg wounds, before transporting him to a critical care unit.

Thompson says, ”We hope Dobby will make a full recovery. Our ERT members say they are very impressed by his ability to maneuver the tough terrain while injured.”