A police patrol horse was punched in the hindquarters after a massive fight broke out in the queue for beer at a county fair in rural California.
Five men were arrested and four police officers wounded in the melee at the conclusion of the Stanislaus County Fair around 10pm on Sunday night, a police statement said.
The violence began after a beer booth closed early – angering a group of 15 men wearing “gang attire” who had already bought drinks tickets.
When deputies from Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department asked the men to leave, one punched a deputy and kicked off a wider brawl, the Los Angeles Times reported.
One of the men got knocked over by a police horse named Maximus in the ensuing ruckus, spilling his beer. The man got back on his feet and thumped the animal in its “rear end”.
“This subject got back up and was upset his beer had spilled. He proceeded to punch Maximus, the horse, in the rear end. He was subsequently arrested,” a statement from the force said.
Deputy Dalton Gonzalez received treatment for a dislocated shoulder, while the other officers suffered only minor injuries.
Police said the patrol horse was fine and would make a “full recovery” after the punch. “Maximus is recovering today by running around his pasture and eating alfalfa,” said the police department. Maximus is still committed to serving justice and will not be dissuaded in his efforts.”
The incident came only days after police arrested a man at the same county fair for trying to use counterfeit bills.
