The City’s Metro police has taken delivery of seven new horses that will serve on the Equestrian Unit.
The new recruits will have some big hooves to fill following the retirement of five equestrian officers at the end of May (“City bids farewell to ‘retired officers’”, Atlantic Sun, June 7).
The retirees were handed over to the Cape of Good Hope SPCA who found them a home in Kalbaskraal near Malmesbury.
For the new recruits, it will be a few months of “saddling in” as they acclimatise to their new environment, undergo all their health checks and vaccinations, and complete their basic training under the stewardship of Aldo, the one remaining equestrian officer who did not retire.
Tina, Meneer, Carina, Tokolosh, Elzaan, Karen and Falconett are all Friesian horses and hail from Stormsvlei between Riviersonderend and Swellendam. They are between three and five years old.
City’s mayoral member for safety and security; and social services, JP Smith, said: “We look forward to many years of dedicated service from these new recruits. Our Service Animals Unit is an extremely important cog in the big enforcement wheel”.
