Animals

Course Trains First Responders to Handle Large Animals

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A horse trapped in a canyon; a bull escaped from its pasture; a wild animal injured by a car –incidents like these endanger animals and people. But when emergency personnel are trained to help, animals, the public and the emergency crews themselves are safer.

That’s why County Animal Services this week hosted a two-day pilot course to help first responders handle large animal emergencies.

“This training is crucial to the safety of first responders and the public,” said Dawn Danielson, Director of Animal Services. “And it also helps ensure that the animals can be safely extricated in times of trouble.”

The course, presented by the UC Davis-based International Animal Welfare Institue with involvement from the California Emergency Management Agency and the Department of Homeland Security, had over 40 students, including animal control officers, a Sheriff’s Deputy and CalFire firefighters.

“Faculty and staff developed these protocols based on veterinary rescue expertise and protocols developed for clinical settings,” said John Madigan, director of the International Animal Welfare Training Institute.”The Department of Homeland Security funded the pilot projects with an eye toward future levels of training.”

“First Responder Guidelines to Equine Emergencies” on Thursday introduced first responders how to handle injured, trapped and loose horses. It covered communication protocols, equine behavior, restraint and lifts.

At practice stations, learned how to halter a horse and guide it from danger and how to use “skids” and other equipment to help move an animal.

“Loose Livestock, Injured Wildlife and Emergency Animal Euthanasia” on Wednesday focused on the safest ways to deal with loose or downed livestock and trapped or injured wildlife. First responders learned how to approach, capture and immobilize animals; protect personal safety; and perform humane euthanasia.