Newnan firefighters lift stranded deer after month long ordeal

Dramatic deer rescue in Newnan

A dramatic rescue in Newnan where firefighters saved a deer from a deep retention pond.

NEWNAN, Ga. - When Newnan firefighters got the call of a deer stranded in a deep retention pond of an apartment complex, they sprang into action and ended a month-long ordeal.

What we know:

Crews were called to the Jackson apartment complex on Greison Trail after the Georgia Department of Natural Resources requested help. A DNR ranger tranquilized the young buck, which neighbors had been feeding and had named Jackson after the complex.

Firefighters pulled up with a 70-foot ladder truck and rope rescue gear this week. They climbed about 20 feet down into the retention area and secured the deer in a Stokes basket, treating the operation the same way they would a human rescue. Photos and video from the department showed crews hoisting the basket up to safety using the ladder truck.

What they're saying:

"We’ve invested pretty heavily in rope rescue equipment," Battalion Chief John Bynom of the Newnan Fire Department said. "We’ve been doing lots of training here at the training center. So, this was like an offsite opportunity for us to actually perform a rescue."

Many neighbors gathered to watch the effort, thanking firefighters for the planning and equipment that went into saving the deer. Fire officials said the unusual call provided valuable real-world training.

"I mean, it was for me, it was… we got training value out of it, and it was something different, and we got to help, you know," Bynom said.

High-tech deer rescue at Jackson apartments

A deer rescue at the Jackson Apartment Complex required innovative techniques after the animal became trapped in a retention pond. Local authorities and animal rescue teams worked carefully to guide the deer to safety, highlighting the challenges of wildlife encounters in urban settings. The successful operation demonstrates how high-tech equipment and coordinated efforts can help protect both residents and animals.

What we don't know:

It remains unclear how the deer got into the retention pond.

What's next:

State wildlife officials say Jackson will be relocated to Paulding County.