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.
Thom Chandler
Thom Chandler is the editor of The Georgia Sun and has been writing, editing and managing websites and blogs since 1995. He is a lifelong Georgian and one of those increasingly rare Atlanta natives.
