Indiana Officers Save Zebras, Camels, and a Horse Belonging to Circus from 'Risky' Highway Fire
Mar. 15, 2025Edward Titus, an Indiana state trooper, spotted a blazing semi-truck and trailer while patrolling Interstate 96 shortly after 2:00 a.m., according to theGrant County Sheriff’s Office’s Facebook page.
Grant County Sheriff’s Office
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“It’s not something we see every day,” Brent Ressett, a deputy with the Grant County Sheriff’s Office, said of the fiery rescue, perNBC News.
Police rescue animals from highway trailer fire.Grant County Sheriff’s Office
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The agency added that several members of law enforcement who took part in the rescue were treated for smoke inhalation and later released; all animals pulled from the trailer left the fire uninjured.
Steve Trump, a circus director for the Mizpah Shrine Circus, told NBC that the animals were headed from Florida to Fort Wayne for weekend performances. Trump added that the truck stopped on the highway to check a problem and that the fire spread. While the truck was destroyed, another transported the animals to Fort Wayne’s Memorial Coliseum. “I was thrilled that things worked out that way,” Trump told NBC News.
Scene of highway animal trailer fire in Indiana.Grant County Sheriff’s Office
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“More snapshots from this morning’s remarkable animal rescue on I-69! Grateful for our tight-knit community rallying together during challenging times,” the agency wrote on Facebook while sharing images from the rescue. “Let’s continue spreading the positivity!”
Body cam footage from the rescue shows police entering the vehicle with their flashlights and rushing to bring zebras to safety away from the flames.
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Police pose with animals following trailer fire rescue.Grant County Sheriff’s Office
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“Body cam captured the risky I-69 rescue involving camels, zebras, and a miniature horse from this weekend. Deputy Kennedy, Trooper Titus, Sergeant Meeks, the Driver, and others risked their lives to save these animals,” the Grant County Sheriff’s Office wrote. “We are proud of all those who participated in this event.”
source: people.com
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