Firefighters rescue horse from icy pond near Lake Tapps

Firefighters rescued a horse from an icy pond near Lake Tapps Sunday, using a fire hose and tractor to hoist the animal out of the water.

The 20-year-old mare had gotten stuck in a drainage pool in the 74000 block of 214th Avenue East, according to an Instagram post by the East Pierce Fire and Rescue firefighters union.

The rescue took about 45 minutes, according to the post by East Pierce Firefighters IAFF Local 3520. After the horse was safely out of the water, the firefighters began warming the animal using blankets, heat packs and a propane outdoor heater, the union said.

Firefighters also called a veterinarian to help assist the animal.

Other fire and law enforcement agencies warned pet owners Sunday to keep their pets close and not follow animals onto waterways that appear frozen over.

In a series of tweets Sunday, Lacey Fire District 3 told dog owners to avoid trying to rescue their animals themselves, and to call 911 if a pet strays onto the ice.

“The ice on our ponds won't hold you. Keep safe by staying away from the edge of ponds and be sure to keep your pets on a leash,” the fire district tweeted.

Temperatures were below freezing Sunday in several areas throughout the South Sound, with snow falling in Tacoma and in parts of Thurston County. More snow was expected to fall overnight through 6 a.m. Monday, according to a winter weather advisory issued by the National Weather Service.

This story was originally published January 3, 2016 at 1:01 PM with the headline "Firefighters rescue horse from icy pond near Lake Tapps."