Councillors back police plan to protect horses from abuse

Councillors have wholeheartedly endorsed a police request help protect their horses from drunken abuse.

A council vote next week will make it illegal to touch, throw bottles at, harass or otherwise taunt a police horse.

The citys planning committee voted Tuesday to slap a $250 fine on anyone who interferes with a police dog or horse. Its particularly an issue in Hess Village, where drunk patrons mess with the horses to irritate police or impress their friends, said Sgt. Brad Adams of Hamilton Police Service.

City council will make a final vote on June 25. That means police can lay tickets for anyone who hits, startles, harasses, touches, fees or taunts a police animal.

Failing to control your pet from attacking a police animal also counts.

Councillors almost made the fine $1,000, saying $250 was too low.

A $250 fine for hitting a horse, some of these idiots would think its the cost of entertainment, said Coun. Brad Clark of Ward 9.

Some of the offending partiers spend more than $250 on drinks in a night.

• RELATED:Hamilton police want better protection for their horses and dogs

Once a few tickets are issued, word will spread and people will comply, said Adams, who leads the police services mounted patrol unit.

For example, Hess Village used to have a challenge of people urinating in public places. But since police issued sometickets, people either dont do it or are more discreet about it.

The fine for touching a police horse will be similar, he said.

Itll get out there quite quickly.

If convicted, the person can face a fine of up to $10,000 for first conviction and $25,000 for subsequent convictions.

In the U.S.assaulting a police animal has the same consequences as assaulting a police officer.