Source: Various

Two miniature horses that had been purchased by the Mobile Police Department to serve as goodwill ambassadors were attacked by a pack of dogs on Tuesday and killed.  Reports state that six dogs were running loose and mauled the horses as they grazed at their stable. 

The horses appeared in parades and worked with children.  The two, called Woogie and Little Joe, lived with the department's mounted unit horses and spent a lot of time with the officers who were very attached to them.  Another department mascot, a donkey, was also distressed to lose his friends.  One of the horses has been moved in to keep the donkey company.

Three of the suspected pack dogs were trapped near the barn and have been euthanized.  Media reports suggest that they were all mixed breed dogs, probably strays, and in poor health.  The department continues to investigate the attack and officers warned that if any of the dogs involved had been allowed to run loose, their owners could face legal sanctions