Horse sacked from police force for not excelling at his job

A police horse has been sacked – for not ‘excelling’ at its job.

South Yorkshire Police is looking for a new home for Tommy, a seven-year-old Irish gelding.

He is prided on his ‘impeccable manners’ but struggled in the all-important ‘discipline’ department.

The horse, also known as Tommy Tankersley, has been with the force for four years.

He’s carried out regular patrols and knows how to keep safe in traffic, a spokesman said.

But Tommy has now been put up for sale due to the need for ‘further education in discipline’.

South Yorkshire Police is looking for genuine offers to rehome the horse.

A spokesman for the force said: ‘He is forward going and wants to please but snaffle mouthed.

‘He schools well and has jumped and completed clinics, however he needs further education in this discipline.

‘Tommy is for sale through no fault of his own, but due to him not excelling as a police horse, we need to find him a new home.’

He has previously had surgery for a locking stifle, but police say it has had no detriment to his health or abilities.

The stifle joint has a locking mechanism designed to allow the horse to be able to sleep standing up, but it is not meant to lock up while the horse is walking or exercising.

Tommy is also described a ‘beautiful, gentle horse’ with ‘impeccable manners’.

Genuine inquiries can be sent to Mounted Sergeant Collette Pitcher at Collette.Pitcher@Southyorks.pnn.police.uk.

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