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
LAFD Search and Rescue and the L.A. Animal Services Specialized Mobile Animal Rescue Team were on scene to assist and provide medical care.
Sunny was safely hoisted to secure ground where he was treated by a veterinarian.