Canby, Ore., firefighters beefed up their rescue efforts and called in reinforcements to lift a 600-pound cow out of 24-foot dry well.

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Owned by Tony Pezl, the Angus apparently stepped onto old railroad ties blocking the opening, but crashed through them in the town south of Portland, Medfornews.com reported Tuesday.

Canby firefighters were called and immediately put out a call for more help to neighboring Clackamas for more firefighters. They also requested a veterinarian and a crane, the report said.

The crews treated the cow's retrieval as any human rescue operation, although the firefighter who went down the well first sedated the frightened animal before running a harness around its belly, the report said.

More than 3 1/2 hours after arriving, crews hoisted out the cow, which showed no sign of injury from the ordeal, her owner said.