County Fire crews had a five-hour rescue operation Monday evening for a cow trapped under a minor mudslide at Dos Pueblo Ranch on the Gaviota Coast.

Ranchers discovered a “Ronvey” Swiss Alpine cow trapped in the mud late Monday afternoon and called for help around 4:20 p.m., fire Capt. Scott Safechuck said.

Crews used an ATV to get into the canyon and then hiked the rest of the way to the trapped cow.

Firefighter crews spent hours digging the animal out, and used wooden planks for leverage, he said.

Animal Control personnel assisted in the rescue.

Firefighters reported that the cow seemed “severely exhausted” and on “the brink of collapse,” according to Safechuck.

It’s believed that the cow was trapped up to a day due to a minor mudslide, according to Safechuck.

Once freed, the cow was extremely exhausted, so ranchers put a blanket on the animal and kept it under observation after its ordeal, according to Safechuck.