The Savannah Police Department reports that a bar patron slapped a police horse after being told to leave the establishment Saturday night.
The horse did not respond to the attempted insult, but police officers did. The horse-hitter was arrested, marking the first arrest by new officers on the force.
Police officials say that while assault on a police horse is rare, it does happen. If the assault causes bodily injury to the horse, it is a felony. Otherwise, it is a misdemeanor.
The offense is punishable by a fine or jail time, but police say they have had some offenders work off the fine by scooping manure in the horse stables.
