The Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office successfully airlifted a horse named Cowboy to safety after he became stranded in the Yellowstone River near Billings, Montana. Cowboy had escaped from his owners’ property and was found standing knee-deep in the river. Rescuers initially attempted to coax him to safety with horse feed but ultimately decided to use a helicopter for the rescue due to the challenging conditions.
On the morning of the rescue, a team, including Sheriff Mike Linder and members of the US Water Rescue Dive Team, assessed the situation. They determined that the horse was not moving and could not be led across the river. With the help of a helicopter acquired through a military surplus program, Cowboy was lightly sedated and airlifted back to solid ground, where he was quickly reunited with his owners.
Sheriff Linder praised the efficiency and preparedness of the rescue team, highlighting the importance of having helicopters available for such operations. The successful rescue of Cowboy demonstrated the effective use of resources and teamwork in handling animal emergencies, a situation the sheriff’s office frequently encounters.
