Despite being thrown from her back when she fell, Officer D. Herrejon refused to be separated from his beloved patrol horse Charlotte as she drew her last breaths on the pavement
This is the heartbreaking moment a police officer comforted his dying horse after she was hit by a truck.
Despite being thrown from her back when she fell, Officer D. Herrejon refused to be separated from his beloved patrol horse Charlotte as she drew her last breaths on the pavement.
The six-year-old mare had worked with the Houston Mounted Patrol in the streets of the Texas city for four years before the accident, WTSP reported.
Friend: Charlotte was a valued member of the team
She had to be put down after her back legs were severely injured when the cement truck ploughed into her.
While the incident is under investigation, police say the driver of the truck is not believed to be at fault.
A vet was called to the scene to put Charlotte to sleep after her back legs were severely injured, said department spokeswoman Jodi Silva.
The department said the horse became spooked by traffic before being struck by the truck.
Missed: The horse was thought to have been spooked by traffic
In a statement, police said the horse had “thrived” working for them and would be much missed.
The statement said: “She loved her job and was always ready to go to work putting bad guys in jail or giving nuzzles to children. She served the citizens of Houston for 4 years. She will be missed.”