Firefighters rescue trapped donkey from Arizona canal

Crews used ropes and vehicles to pull the animal to safety after it became stuck in the water.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 2:18pm

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Firefighters in Eloy, Arizona responded to a call about a donkey that had wandered into a local canal and become trapped in the water. Using their livestock expertise, a father-daughter firefighter team led the rescue effort, employing ropes and vehicles to pull the donkey to safety. The animal was then placed in the care of a local livestock expert while officials work to identify the owner.

Why it matters

Animal rescues, especially those involving large livestock, require specialized training and equipment. This incident highlights the importance of having firefighters and emergency responders prepared to handle these types of unique situations to ensure the safety and wellbeing of both the animal and the rescuers.

The details

Crews from the Eloy Fire District responded to a call about a donkey stuck in the Central Arizona Project canal near Highway 87 and Shedd Road. They found the donkey struggling to free itself from the water. Battalion Chief Travis Hartman and firefighter Hannah Hartman, who have experience working with livestock, led the rescue effort using ropes and vehicles to pull the donkey to safety.

  • On April 6, 2026, firefighters responded to the canal rescue call.

The players

Eloy Fire District

The local fire department that responded to the canal rescue call.

Travis Hartman

A battalion chief with the Eloy Fire District who used his livestock expertise to lead the donkey rescue.

Hannah Hartman

A firefighter with the Eloy Fire District who assisted her father, Travis Hartman, in the donkey rescue.

Robert Maestas

The assistant chief of the Eloy Fire District who commented on the unique nature of the rescue.

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What they’re saying

“We train regularly in rope and hauling techniques, but this was a unique situation.”

— Robert Maestas, Assistant Chief, Eloy Fire District

What’s next

Officials are working to identify the owner of the rescued donkey.

The takeaway

This animal rescue highlights the importance of having firefighters and emergency responders prepared to handle unique situations involving livestock, as their specialized training and equipment can make the difference in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of both the animal and the rescuers.