Mounted cop hurt by tree

Published on 08/10/2012 12:00

AN officer hit by the branch of a tree while patrolling a city park on horseback was among nine people hurt in accidents involving police horses in the last four years.

In a second incident from 2011-12, a horse bit an officer, inflicting severe cuts and bruising. The previous year, a rider training a horse to jump tore an elbow muscle after falling, while another officer suffered minor cuts and bruises in a fall.

Four people were hurt by horse-related accidents in 2009-10 and one the next year.

In January, it was revealed that the force was set to lose its mounted section after more than 130 years, with the horses transferring to Strathclyde Police to save £52,000 a year.