Donkeys rescued from field flooded up to their necks

SPRINGFIELD TWP. — Two donkeys, Pancho and Eddie, are resting comfortably in a neighbor’s barn after being rescued from rising flood waters by Springfield Twp. firefighters Sunday.

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The two donkeys were rescued early Sunday after a neighbor in the 3600 block of Lower Valley Pike spotted them trapped up to their necks in flood waters.

The Mad River came out of its banks and rose quickly, within 20 minutes, according to residents in the area.

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The pair were in water up to their necks. The smaller donkey, Pancho, was treading water. Pancho and had to rest his head on Eddie’s back to keep from drowning.

Neighbors who knew the donkeys called them by name and eventually a fence was cut, and rescue workers were able to walk the donkeys to the road. Once rescued, they were dried off, fed grain and hay, and housed in a neighbor’s dry, warm barn.

Pancho and Eddie’s owner, Tim Arnold, said Monday he’s appreciative for everyone’s help.

“They are great, I just came back from feeding and watering them,” he said. “They're in a nice clean barn right down the street here until I can get this fence fixed, then I'll bring them home," added Arnold.

He was unable to reach them himself over the weekend because of the high water.

“It's the first time they've ever got caught. They usually get on high ground but they were by the fence and it came up so fast I don't think they could get through. They got scared,” said Arnold.

Arnold has two donkeys, a mule, 12 ducks and a cat.

“I love my donkeys. I love all my animals. I would have been heartbroken if I lost my donkeys," said Arnold.

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