New Home Found For Tulsa Mounted Police Horses

By Tara Vreeland, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- The City of Tulsa has found a home for horses that serve in the Police Mounted Patrol. The horses are on the chopping block along with the police department's helicopters and 37 city employees, who were laid off this week in an effort to trim $6 million from the budget.

Mayor Taylor's office had been bombarded by calls about what would happen to the horses.

The eight horses will find homes with non-profit organizations thanks to a donation by the Hillcrest Foundation to the Tulsa Community Foundation.

Mounted patrol units say one officer on horseback is as good as10 officers on foot.

"The money that has been invested in them is all in their training," said Sergeant David Davis of the Tulsa Police Department.

But due to budget cuts, the city is losing its mounted patrol unit which is estimated to save about $51,000 this year.

"I think it was a decision based solely on the money they would save by selling the assets," Davis said.

There are many benefits to have a mounted patrol unit including crowd control, the high visibility, community relations, and search and rescue.

"At some point, the economy is going to turn around, and with the downtown revitalization, horses are very, very effective in controlling those sorts of areas," said Sgt. David Davis with the Police Mounted Patrol.

"If we dispose of the assets like we are talking about doing, it would be very expensive to start the unit back up again."

As for the horses, they are all Quarter Horse Geldings ranging in age from nine to 25. They will now be used in non-profit programs such as the Tulsa Boys home and other equestrian programs.

"Buddy and I have been together for 10 years. We have a pretty close bond. And I'm with him more than I'm with my family," Davis said.

So the officers will be reassigned and their partners in crime control will ride off into the sunset to continue serving Tulsa citizens.

"Some of these therapeutic riding places would be great because they have the dispositions to handle that kind of work," Davis saidl

The horses will be appraised as early as next week and will be sold at fair-market value to the Tulsa Community Foundation. The money received will go into the City of Tulsa's general fund.

Tulsa Community Foundation will accept donations for non-profits receiving a horse to help with costs for caring and the other special needs. Send to Tulsa Community Foundation, 7030 S. Yale, Ste 600, Tulsa, OK 74136.

Put a memo in the check: City of Tulsa Horses Fund.