August 31, 2024 – Fresno County Sheriff's Office officials report that at 11:45 A.M. on Friday, a person reported seeing a cow floating in the Friant Kern Canal near Ashlan and Riverbend Avenues. Deputies, along with those assigned to our Boating Enforcement Unit, responded to the area. They determined the cow was alive and put together a rescue plan. Deputies Kirkpatrick and Westbrook, both of whom are trained in swift water rescues, entered the canal off Clinton Ave., east of Riverbend Ave. With the help of deputies on the shore, they attached a rope to the cow and were able to safely pull the animal out of the canal. The cow is in good health and is in the process of being returned to its owner.

The Central California Animal Disaster Team has previously trained Deputy Kirkpatrick for these type of large animal rescues. This is his second such rescue of a cow. That incident took place on May 2, 2024 near Napa and Gale Avenues (between Huron and Coalinga.)

That story can be seen by visiting the link here.

View video here.

Special thanks to the Central California Animal Disaster Team for providing large animal rescue training to him and other local responders.

Source & photos: Fresno County Sheriff's Office