A police horse that was punched by a football fan in 2013 has been promoted to a new position.
Fifteen-year-old Bud (pictured, top and right) was caught up in the violence following a Newcastle United Sunderland football match at St James’ Park while working for the West Yorkshire Police on 14 April 2013.
Barry Rogerson, from Bedlington, Northumberland, hit Bud in the face. He pleaded guilty to violent disorder, was jailed for a year and also banned from going to football matches for six years.
The bay gelding was “totally fine” and returned to duty shortly after the incident.
He is now taking on a new role with the Metropolitan Police’s mounted section. He will be assisting the training of new horses at Imber Court, Surrey, as he approaches the end of his working career with the police force.
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Bud joined the team at West Yorkshire’s mounted section eight years ago and has been involved in a huge variety policing operations.
Well-earned retirement
Louis (pictured, right), another police horse with West Yorkshire Police, is retiring after 16 years with the force’s mounted section.
He is going to a new home in Huddersfield, where he will spend his senior years grazing in the field and occasionally hacking out.
Louis has been with the mounted section since he was bought as a four-year-old from Hillam in North Yorkshire. He was the last horse serving that was involved in the Bradford riots and is nicknamed “The Warrior” as he keeps on going no matter what.
“We will be sad to see Bud and Louis leave,” said sergeant Jayne West. “As with all our horses, they are all treasured by the officers and staff who work with and look after them.
“They have both been fantastic to work with, and have experienced so many different circumstances.”
