Horse Funeral

[Springbok]

Help me out here,

I am still getting used to Canadian customs so I was very surprised to see that a funeral was held in Toronto for "Brigadier", the police horse. At first I thought the police constable had also been killed until he walked up to the podium and delivered his eulogy.

This is the first time I have ever witnessed an animal being buried with full police honours and was wondering if it happens often (the funerals for animals) or was this a once off because he was a special horse / "police officer"?

[Trevor]

All police dogs and horses are considered officers. Therefore, they receive a police burial when killed in the line of duty.

Many criminals don't know, but shooting the police dog will get you the same charge as if you were shooting at the policeman.

Others may know more however.

[TorontoGuy]

All police dogs and horses are considered officers. Therefore, they receive a police burial when killed in the line of duty.

Many criminals don't know, but shooting the police dog will get you the same charge as if you were shooting at the policeman.

Others may know more however.

That is true in some of the United states but not in Canada.

("Dozens of U.S. states have enacted laws to tackle the problem. Most, such as Virginia and Minnesota, now make it a felony to kill a police animal. Others, such as Ohio and Florida, even make harassing or interfering with a police animal a crime. In 2000, the U.S. congress also enacted laws protecting animals in federal law enforcement." -- Toronto Star)


In this case, the guy who was being questioned by police, drove away, turned around and then deliberately droive his car right at and into Brigadier (and then took off) has been charged with dangerous driving causing bodily harm and failing to remain at the scene of an accident. It's the best the cops could do under the law. With Brigadier down, on the road, in agonizing pain, both front legs smashed in, the cops themselves had to put him out of his misery and put a bullet into his head.

The ceremony yesterday wasn't actually a funeral or burial, but a memorial service. At first the Toronto cops were just going to do a little ceremony for themselves at the site of the collision. But the outpouring of grief and anger from the citizens of the city over the deliberate slaughter of "the Gentle Giant" as Brigadier was known, changed the force's mind, and they prepared a service at the colliseum where the public could attend. About 1,000 people showed up.

For many of us who grew up in Toronto, our first meeting, as children, with Toronto police was often the mounted unit. At the CNE or High Park, or even seeing them riding up the city streets as they still do. So we have fond childhood memories that continue when we see the mounted police even today. And those horses that they have, boy, are they beauties!

And when you consider how long and deep man's relationship with horses is, you can understand why so many people got upset, and what this quote really means.

"The history of mankind is carried on the back of a horse".

(PS: the death of a police horse in the line of duty is very rare. I can't recall the last time in Toronto. So that added to the sorrow.)

[TheCheez]

And when you consider how long and deep man's relationship with horses is

I lol'd.

[TorontoGuy]

And when you consider how long and deep man's relationship with horses is

I lol'd.

Smirk. OK, no "mounting the horse" jokes.

[Springbok]

Thanks for the feedback. I think it is an admirable idea to honour the animals involved in law enforcement. Once again, the Canadians go up another notch!

This would never work in South Africa, they would be having at least 5 memorial services a day. Cops are wiped out at a rate of at least 2 a week. It has become such a regular occurence that it hardly makes headlines anymore. Life is so cheap to our African brothers!

[floatman]

Once again, the Canadians go up another notch!

[fogghorn]

Yeah, great idea, lets go spend 10 or 20 thousand bucks of tax payers money honoring a dead horse. God Help us all, what a complete and utter waste of time and resources. I have nothing against horses, used to ride more than a few, but it is still a stinking dead animal which should be bound for the dog food factory. Is it not just possible that those resources could be used in a better way?

[w squared]

You're using some stinky bait for your trolling today, foghorn.

IIRC, the service was paid for by donations.

[fogghorn]

Yes, I hear the canning factories are rather stinky, maybe the donated funds could have gone to some other cause, how bout the spca??

[w squared]

Hmmm....let's see. Over 1000 people showed up for the service.

I'm gonna go out on a limb here and wager that you won't have that many folks at your funeral.

If 1000 people show up, I'd wager that there's enough demand to justify spending the money.

[TorontoGuy]

Yes, I hear the canning factories are rather stinky, maybe the donated funds could have gone to some other cause, how bout the spca??

In fact, there was a collection for the Ontario Veterinary College in Guelph. The donations will go to a fund to support clinical care for horses.

You really should read the newspapers before you start spouting off so dramatically. It's all been in print multiple times. Not to mention on tv and radio in repeated broadcasts. (or if you're not in Toronto, perhaps you should have admitted you didn't know enough to comment?) As it is, all you've done is show yourself to be the hind end of the dead beast.

But well done, if you were just trying to be offensive.

[fogghorn]

Thank You, Thank You very Muuucch , but just the same, I would really have a hard time calling my boss and saying - "I cant come in to work today, I have to attend a funeral for a horse"

[SYT_YYZ]

doubtfull you'd have to attend unless you were a cop...and if that were the case your boss is probably the one who made the flower arrangements...

. i had a hampster funeral when i was nine... helped me with "closure" so why not......i guess...

but i love animals ..

.... me and my bunny marley.. cute huh?

[fogghorn]

Ahh, true I suppose, I would probably have to be a cop to get an invite. Needless to say, have you ever heard of a cowboy attending a funeral for his horse? - not too likely, unless maybe he was riding on brokeback that is , according to brokeback, those alberta cowboys are pretty sensitive fellas so maybe they will start another new tradition (horse funerals) with their compadres.

[w squared]

Hey! Foghorn! Methinks the horse that you are flogging might just have expired previously. Time to find some new bait, buddy.

[TorontoGuy]

Hey! Foghorn! Methinks the horse that you are flogging might just have expired previously. Time to find some new bait, buddy.

He's actually just going ever more in the wrong direction with his comments. Cowboys? Their horses were so valuable to them that stealing one was a hanging offence.

[Springbok]

It can get very lonely in the saddle, especially after your horse dies!

[EI-EIO]

fogghorn

shut your cakehole.

Bad enough reading one idiot who complained about them crapping on the street and charging protestors at Queens Park. Lots of places are re-introducing horses after realising the mistake of getting rid.