Fire officials rescue pony from storm drain in SW Houston
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Officials say a pony found trapped in a drainage ditch in southwest Houston may have been there overnight.
On Wednesday, the Houston Fire Department responded to reports of an animal rescue in the 4700 block on Simsbrook.
Houston police officer Ronald Prince told Eyewitness News that he found the small horse when he stopped to investigate an abandoned vehicle.
He said when he was getting back in his vehicle, he heard a noise coming from a drainage ditch nearby.
"I walked over and I peeped inside the storm drain. What I thought I saw was a dog, but I realized once I took a closer look that it was actually a miniature horse," the officer said.
The officer said the pony did not look distressed, but the animal sustained some cuts and bruises from the fall.
Neighbors told Eyewitness News they too heard a commotion on Tuesday night, but they were not sure what it was.
It is still unclear how the pony got into the drainage ditch, but officials said it is possible the animal slipped in because the storm grate was missing.
Firefighters used concrete cutting chainsaws to free the pony. Once a steel bar was removed, they were able to put a harness on the animal to lift it out.
The pony was sedated and released to BARC, who is caring for the animal. Officials say he's eating well and recovering.
Police are now trying to determine where the pony came from and who owns it. Anyone with information is asked to call 281-454-6235.
