Owner of Pooping Horse gets Ticket for Littering!

KPRC
Published: February 25, 2009

A 2-year-old colt’s answer to the call of nature has gotten his owner in trouble with Texas authorities.

“Whatever you want to do on him, you can,“ said Ben McCleary, who has been training Rascal to one day go on trail rides.

McCleary said part of that training means riding him near roads.

“So they won’t spook,“ said McCleary. “And, of course, you don’t want to get thrown 10 feet.“

While McCleary and Rascal were walking Tuesday Roman Forest police stopped him because Rascal had left behind some evidence.

“Next thing I know somebody stopped me, searched me twice, and I got a citation because the horse pooped on the side of the road,“ said McCleary.

The ticket McCleary said the offense is “littering.“

Under vehicle registration, it said “not applicable, horse.“

“I didn’t know what to think,“ McCleary said. “I never heard of a law saying that.“

Roman Forest’s police chief said he would not comment about the ticket, but was looking into it.

Stable owner Robbie Jones said he’s shocked.

“The horse is the one who littered,“ said Jones. “In all likelihood, Ben wouldn’t even be aware of it. The horse just does it.“

“I mean it’s an animal, has bowel movements,“ said McCleary.

Jones and McCleary said they worried about what this could mean for all riders.

“In the next four days, trail riders will come right up 59,“ said Jones. “I hate to have police lined up writing them tickets.“

They said the ticket, is downright un-Texan.

“Now I can’t even walk horse down the road to train it?“ asked Jones. “It seems extremely anti-Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, and that’s 100 percent Texan.“

McCleary is expected in court on March 11

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Comment by carolyn on March 2, 2009 at 7:52am: it sounds like the "officer" was bored and looking for something to do. even the search was without merit. (unless you were dressed like a couple of drug addicts ((however they might dress)) or you looked like you were about to rob a bank on horseback) since the horse didn't even "go" right on the pavement what's the matter with this guy? where i come from horses still have the right of way over vehicles so i don't get his problem. they are herd animals and have to go and you can't teach them housetraining like dogs. this should never have happened and should be thrown out.

Comment by Nancy Little on February 26, 2009 at 10:15am: I know what I'd be putting in that cops muffler on a quiet night.

I've been to Houston and I've seen lots of dog crap on their sidewalks ... lovely and their mounted patrol (the 4 legged ones) have never been seen whereing Depends. Maybe following their mounted cops around to make a citizens' arrest would be in order. What a waste of tax payers money.