Rescued Horses Work as Mounted Enforcement

Newsdate: Wed, 6 Apr 2011 - 09:54 am
Location: LOS ANGELES, California

When his current patrol horse began to show signs of aging, Sargeant, John Hargraves, a 30 year veteran with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department began looking for a new mount.

Through the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care, he learned that several horses had been seized by Animal Control officers recently because they were being starved.

Hargraves went to the equine shelters in Lancaster and Castaic, and found two suitable horses, a thoroughbred mare and a palomino gelding. Both the mare and the gelding responded well to cues and seemed eager to please in spite of having been starved and abandoned.

 Horses have been part of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's department since the 1850's. "The goal is to prove that you don't need to have an expensive horse to be on the Mounted Enforcement Detail, just one that is sound, calm, and willing to learn and trust you," said Sergeant Hargraves.

The horses are deputized before being deployed in an official capacity. An assault on a deputized horse, like an assault on a human deputy, carries unique additional criminal penalties.

About the Author

Flossie Sellers

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As an animal lover since childhood, Flossie was delighted when Mark, the CEO and developer of EquiMed asked her to join his team of contributors.

She enrolled in My Horse University at Michigan State and completed a number of courses in everything related to horse health, nutrition, diseases and conditions, medications, hoof and dental care, barn safety, and first aid.

Staying up-to-date on the latest developments in horse care and equine health is now a habit, and she enjoys sharing a wealth of information with horse owners everywhere.

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