NYPD Euthanizes Three Horses

Photo via lempkin's flickr

Some of New York's finest four-legged friends have been sent off to greener pastures, with a loud rally cry from animal rights activists sending them off. According to the NY Post, the head of the NYPD's Mounted Unit, Capt. Barry Gelbman, ordered three retired police horses put down upon their retirement, saying various leg ailments made it impossible to transport them to new homes upstate and in New Hampshire.

The horses—Danny, Willis and Richie Rich—were 15 to 20 years old, and had life expectancies of up to 30, leaving many to question Gelbman's decision. Allegedly, he made it clear the animals were under his control, as property of his department. But one source told the paper, "They did not need to be euthanized. They just could not travel cramped for 16 hours. They only needed special accommodations to move them."

This isn't the first time the NYPD has been involved in scandals involving their horses. On top of running a corrupt auction, in 2005 they sent 58 retired horses to a bankrupt farm where it was discovered they were malnourished.

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By Jen Carlson in News on April 12, 2010 11:18 AM

Comments [rss]

Kojak

Well, I AM out of glue...

Guest

ugh... wtf?

just saying

Does cash-strapped NYC even need a mounted patrol? Why not just give the cops segways--or even better, bicycles.

By the looks of them, a lot of the NYPD really need the exercise anyway.

youngpro

how does a segway help with excercise?

5borough

Horses don't get pensions and a cop on a horse is probably worth 10 on foot. I think it might be cheaper.

just saying

I doubt it. The costs involved with boarding, feeding, training, transporting and vet care of horses are substantially greater than just buying sedways or bicycles for cops.

5borough

Cops live for decades after leaving the PD with pension and health coverage.

Horses, not so much.

Peter

Classic headline in the Post: "NYPD Glue"

maryjr

Sad for the horses :(

I've always assumed the NYPD horses are well-cared for.

youngpro

who said they don't?

maryjr

This article alludes to a callous disregard for the remainder of their lives.

youngpro

alludes...exactly my point, stupid.

youngpro

"This isn't the first time the NYPD has been involved in scandals involving their horses."

Way to sensationalize the story, Carlson. Who said it was a 'scandal?' Did you consult anyone? Are you going against a licensed medical professional like a vet. who put this over pain and suffering?

youngpro

what gets me the most is that there was obviously a vet behind this decision, and that the decision to put these animals down was NOT SOLELY on gelbman. the vet made the sound decision that euthanasia was obviously the right choice over pain and suffering.

5borough

Sounds like sour grapes from the woman who plead guilty to having the bid rigged to get the horses to her stable, where they were being removed from. From what the vet said it sounded more cruel to move these poor animals.

FelixtheCat & Christine Quinn'

They only needed special accommodations to be moved. shame on them.

youngpro

yeah, but vets, with all their academics to their credentials and knowledge of animal life mean NOTHING to sick crazies like peta.

FelixtheCat & Christine Quinn'

Capt Barry gelbman is a disgrace. He shouldbe put down.

youngpro

so is he now on your hitlist now, along with quinn, et al? you know NOTHING about these people other than one move or a policy/agenda they have and you jump the gun with your silly antics-driven comments.