Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Patrol Operations Bureau
- Environmental Lands Unit

David Christopher (Stable Owner)
DOB: 04/19/1962
3775 Quail Forest Lane, unincorporated Tarpon Springs

“Kushca” (Percheron Horse- Deceased)
Age: 16-years-old

What:
Deputies helped to rescue a horse that was submerged in a cypress swamp in unincorporated Tarpon Springs. 

When:
The incident occurred at about 1:05 p.m. on Thursday, December 8, 2016.

Where:
The incident occurred behind a residence located at 3755 Quail Forest Drive, in unincorporated Tarpon Springs.

Why/How:
On December 8, 2016 at about 1:05 p.m., deputies were called to a residence located at 3755 Quail Forest Drive in unincorporated Tarpon Springs, for a horse that was trapped in a cypress swamp behind the stable at the residence. The horse, a 16-year-old Percheron named “Kushca”, was found submerged in four to five feet of mud in the wooded area.

Deputies worked with the property owner, 54-year-old David Christopher and friends, for more than two hours to free the horse. The 2,000 lb. horse was extricated using towing straps and a come-along winch.

Deputies say the horse was unable to stand on its own and suffered from severe exhaustion.

A veterinarian responded to the scene, and the owners made the difficult decision to euthanize the horse. Deputies were informed that the horse had a pre-existing medical issue and was suffering from the stress it endured.  The horse died at about 10 p.m. on December 8, 2016.

Deputies believe the horse was grazing when it wandered into the cypress swamp.