Firefighters spent several hours rescuing a cow who was trapped in a deep mud pit on a ranch in Santa Barbara Monday afternoon.
The rescue operation took place at Dos Pueblo Ranch around 4:30 p.m., Santa Barbara County Fire Department spokesperson Scott Safechuck posted on X, formerly Twitter Tuesday.
“A ‘Ronvey’ Swiss alp cow was discovered trapped in mud by ranchers,” Safechuck said.
A cow is seen stuck up to its neck in mud in an image shared by Santa Barbara County Fire. 
Crewmembers are seen after responding to a cow rescue in this image provided by Santa Barbara County Fire. 
A cow is seen resting under a blanket after being rescued in this image provided by Santa Barbara County Fire. 
A cow is seen resting under a blanket after being rescued in this image provided by Santa Barbara County Fire.
Images shared by Safechuck showed the cow appeared to be stuck up to its neck in the mud.
An extensive rescue effort, which involved digging, prying, rolling and using wood planks for leverage in the deep mud, was initiated.
Five hours later, the cow was freed from the mud and covered with a blanket to stay warm.
The “exhausted” cow was being observed by ranchers following the rescue, Safechuck said.
