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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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4

Horses Laid Off as Cop Budgets Trimmed

Police, locals 'heartbroken' to see them go

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(Newser) – It’s not just humans facing unemployment these days: horses are seeing their jobs disappear as police in Boston, Toledo, and other cities cut their mounted units, the Wall Street Journal reports. The units are said to bolster crowd control, with one mounted cop worth 15 on foot. And “our horses are probably photographed as often as Paris Hilton,” says a New York officer.

“I was heartbroken” to see the unit go, notes a Camden, NJ, cop. “Horses don't file grievances,” points out a police chief. Laid-off horses are staying at home in their stables or being given away. But some locals are spearheading efforts to put the units back in action, sending checks to a police department in New Hampshire and having a fundraiser in Ohio.

Members of the New Orleans Police Department's mounted patrol practice a v-formation at their training facility in New Orleans, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2009.
Members of the New Orleans Police Department's mounted patrol practice a v-formation at their training facility in New Orleans, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2009.   (AP Photo/Bill Haber)
Newark police officer Manuel Spruill strokes his police horse Saber while on duty in Newark, N.J., Tuesday, June 23, 2009.
Newark police officer Manuel Spruill strokes his police horse Saber while on duty in Newark, N.J., Tuesday, June 23, 2009.   (AP Photo/Mike Derer)
A visitor takes photos as a mounted U.S. Park Police ducks under low hanging Cherry Blossoms in full bloom along the Tidal Basin in Washington, Tuesday, March 31, 2009.
A visitor takes photos as a mounted U.S. Park Police ducks under low hanging Cherry Blossoms in full bloom along the Tidal Basin in Washington, Tuesday, March 31, 2009.   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
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4 comments
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ClearSight
Jul 27, 09 11:39 AM CDT
The Atlanta Police have a mounted unit. I wonder if the same will happen to them? Hope not... Reply
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freethemall
Jul 27, 09 2:33 PM CDT
If one mounted cop is worth 15 on foot, then how does it make any sense to get rid of them to save money? Isn't this an example of being penny wise, but pound foolish? Reply
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armywife
Jul 27, 09 6:24 PM CDT
i'm in complete agreement. this doesnt make sense. Reply
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radnip
Aug 1, 09 3:02 AM CDT
No new taxes! More tax cuts! We're the richest country in the world! Fire the cops! Fuck the roads. Who needs schools? Sick people, care for yourselves! Reply
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