Yakima County, WA – A two-year-old steer was safely rescued after falling into a canal and drifting miles downstream in a coordinated effort involving deputies and local residents in mid-April.
According to the Yakima County Sheriff’s Office, the incident happened in mid-April near Deeringhoff Road, close to the intersection of St. Hilaire and Postma roads. Deputies responded after receiving reports of the animal in distress in the canal.
Authorities said the steer drifted nearly four miles downstream as Deputy Zapien followed along the canal bank to keep the drifting animal in sight. Sgt. Perez arrived shortly after, and multiple attempts were made to rope the steer, though initial efforts were unsuccessful.
While maintaining visual contact, deputies reached out to nearby community members for assistance. Several residents, including Jeff and Tambra Maples, Javier Rodriguez, Heriberto Esquivel, and Danae Lee, responded quickly and helped develop a plan to safely recover the animal.
As the steer approached the last available boat launch, Rodriguez successfully roped the animal. Sgt. Perez and Deputy Zapien then assisted in pulling the steer from the canal without further incident. The animal was transported to a nearby corral owned by the Maples family, where it was secured until its owners could be contacted.
Officials said the rescue highlights the importance of community cooperation during emergency situations. No injuries were reported, and the steer appeared to recover following the ordeal.
The sheriff’s office expressed appreciation for the residents who stepped in to assist, noting that the outcome could have been far worse without quick coordination and teamwork.
