FRIDAY EVENT: Police officer adopting stallion from animal shelter

          Lancaster, CA— The Department of Animal Care and Control (DACC) is partnering with a Culver City Police Officer who will be adopting a Thoroughbred stallion on Friday, April 24, 2009 from the Lancaster animal shelter. The 12-year old stallion will be gelded and then join the Culver City and El Monte Volunteer Mounted Patrol Unit, for special events and ceremonial functions for the cities.

         

Members of the Volunteer Mounted Patrol Unit donate and provide all of the necessary equipment and trainings needed for maintenance. The horses are owned and cared for solely by the officers at their own expense.

         

This stallion came into the Lancaster shelter as a stray.  The owner

came forward, but never claimed the horse. 

 

          It was concluded that the 12-year old stallion meets “police horse requirements,” after being evaluated by DACC veterinarians (as well as city officials).

         

According to DACC equine veterinarian, Dr. Byerly, the criteria for a police horse usually requires:

 

·        Middle aged horse

·        Horse be a  reasonably large size

·        Must be settled, meaning it must be relaxed and is not easily upset

·        Must easily adapt to new and/or threatening environments 

 

Byerly states that what makes this horse unique is that he is “easy to work with and very trainable”. The Volunteer Mounted Patrol Unit is currently looking for two more similarly suitable horses to join the unit.

 

 The horse is scheduled to be adopted on Friday, April 24. Prior to the adoption, the horse will be gelded, vaccinated, microchipped, and groomed.