Greener pastures for police horse

**Standard Dave** · 05-13-07, 03:49 PM

Greater Manchester Police's longest serving horse, Scrooge, has retired after nearly 16 years in the force.

He has policed football matches across the region and was part of policing for the Commonwealth Games and the recent Labour Party Conference.

The head of GMP Mounted Unit, said: "He is a fantastic horse and we will really miss him but as he is coming up to his 20th birthday, he deserves a rest."

Scrooge is returning to his former owners for his retirement.

Head of GMP Mounted Unit Lynn Roby said: "Over the years many officers have learnt to ride on Scrooge and he has faced every situation with a steadfast and calm attitude.

"It is a sad day for the unit and for me as I often rode Scrooge when on duty at football matches."

The 16.3 hands bay joined GMP in January 1991 when he was almost four years old.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/m...er/6651397.stm

**Motorwaycop** · 05-13-07, 03:57 PM

You mean some forces still have horses!

Why can't they be like the rest of us and get rid of every single specialist unit. (Apart from review teams, review of review teams, teams to check reviews ,teams to compare reviews of other review teams...I think you get my drift!)

**Standard Dave** · 05-13-07, 04:07 PM

Originally Posted by Motorwaycop

You mean some forces still have horses!

Why can't they be like the rest of us and get rid of every single specialist unit. (Apart from review teams, review of review teams, teams to check reviews ,teams to compare reviews of other review teams...I think you get my drift!)

Our horses are going as well soon. Just a handful of the larger forces have mounted units left now

**Willowdared** · 05-13-07, 11:57 PM

I wuv horses!!!

San Diego PD still has a mounted patrol. Sheriff's only has SAR volunteers still on horseback.

**Trojan 42** · 05-14-07, 01:51 AM

We used to shoot ours when they finished service. It was thought to be too cruel for them to be taken out of their daily routine and stables etc. The meat was sold to the French.

**Ducky** · 05-14-07, 08:27 AM

We've got a mounted patrol unit, and we're one of either three or four in the state that do. At least two of the towns in question are big into horses anyway, and a third is an historic town. Here boarding facilities are very readily available, as is equine veterinary care and pasturing facilities.

The idea of shooting them when they're finished service is pretty horriffic. Columbia recently had two of their horses die in a wreck, and the entire division was devistated. They're not just tools, they're partners just as much as K-9 officers are.