Firefighters, Rescue Workers Try To Save An Injured Horse's Life

EAST HAVEN, CT — First responders help, and fight, to save the lives of people. And all creatures. Dedicated, they give it their all. But sometimes, their valiant and best efforts end sadly.

Last Thursday night, East Haven firefighters were called to an animal rescue on Barberry Road. They and the Durham Animal Rescue Team was dispatched to a "downed horse," East Haven Fire Chief Matt Marcarelli wrote on Facebook.

The horse had suffered a "leg injury and was in danger (as a result of) being down for so long."

DART wrote that it was able to "use our glide to allow movement of the horse to a more stable area."

"At the point, our straps — along with heavy equipment — were used to get the horse into a standing position. When we left, the horse was being attended to by a large animal veterinarian," the animal rescue wrote on Facebook, while praising the efforts of the East Haven Fire Department.

Marcarelli noted that East Haven Animal Control helped as fire department personnel, led by Battalion Chief Chris Guilfoil, Captain Gordon Stewart, assisted by Operator Marsico, worked to move the horse from its stable to outside where it was rigged and lifted upright so it could be properly treated.

Friday morning, Marcarelli went to the stable to check on the horse.

"Despite the best efforts of all involved, the horse did not make it through the night," he wrote.

Heartbreaking.