Newton Family Horse Dies After Falling Into Cesspool

NEWTON (CBS) -- A family is mourning the loss of their horse after falling into a cesspool in the backyard of their Newton home.

Emergency crews responded to a home on Dudley Road shortly after 1p.m. Sunday and found the horse in mud over its head.

"The fire department requested a backhoe, one responded very quickly and actually dug the horse out,"  Newton Police Lt. Bruce Apotheker said.

"Because of the trauma of the whole incident, unfortunately the horse passed away of neurogenic shock," he said.

The family owned  the horse, named Ultra, for 30 years. Ultra vacationed with the family each year on Martha's Vineyard, Apotheker said.

"It was not described as a pet, but actually as a family member," he said.