CASCO TOWNSHIP, Mich. - A horse was rescued from a sinkhole early Monday morning, but later put down due to health complications.
Crews with the South Haven Area Emergency Services were dispatched to a residence on Blue Star Highway near 106th Avenue in Casco Township at 4 a.m. Monday, Dec. 17, to rescue the horse. It was a 32-year-old Arabian horse named Tea Cup. She was reportedly trapped up to her head.
The homeowners stated that Tea Cup was found after other family animals, a dog and donkey, were making a ruckus that awoke them.
Tea Cup had fallen into an old septic tank access hole and was unable to get back out. Firefighters dug around the tank to find a large cement collar that was trapping her, and keeping her from moving.
City of South Haven staff responded with a backhoe and Harbor Towing company was called to assist with the rescue.
Tea Cup was just recently moved to the property, and the new homeowners did not realize there was a septic tank in the area of the pasture. It took rescuers about one hour and 45 minutes to remove her from the tank and then another hour and half trying to warm and dry her off.
Firefighters used portable heaters and tarps to help rewarm Tea Cup while keeping her calm.
The homeowners called a veterinarian to evaluate Tea Cup's condition and after about three hours, determined her heart was too weak to survive. She was humanely put to sleep.
PHOTOS: Casco Twp horse recuse
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