Sick police horses miss the big match

Oct 31 2008 by Sam Wood, The Journal

EVERY horse in the Northumbria Police mounted section was off sick at the same time. But the squad of nine animals returned to active duty yesterday after their enforced absence.

An outbreak of ringworm in the force’s stable meant every horse was temporarily taken off duty to stop the disease spreading.

The nine horses in the mounted section were treated for the common fungal infection, which is contagious.

Mounted officers from West Yorkshire were brought in to patrol the Wear-Tyne football derby in Sunderland on Saturday to cover for the ill animals.

Chief Supt Neil Mackay, of Northumbria Police, said last night that the outbreak had no effect on police operations in the region, other than disruption to policing of the football.

A vet working for Northumbria Police said it was a highly contagious disease, which can be passed on to humans, but that the horses had responded well to treatment.

Lesley Barwise-Munroe, from A1 Northumbria Veterinary Group in Alnwick, who treats the police horses, said: “In the history of Northumbria Police, they cannot remember this happening.

“It is very unfortunate. A new horse came into the yard and even though it was isolated and you take precautions, it can sneak into the group and cause a downturn. The trouble is it spreads round the horses and you have to break the whole loop so it doesn’t move from horse to horse. The horses are all getting better now and we just have to be absolutely certain there are no spores on the skin.

“We use antifungal wash which kills the spores which spread and we are hoping it stops contamination, the lesions heal up, and they feel more comfortable.”

Chief Supt Mackay, head of the force’s operations department, said: “Ringworm does not make horses physically unwell, but it causes spots which leave bare patches on the animal’s coat when they come off. The infection meant that the horses could not patrol during last weekend’s Wear-Tyne football derby at Sunderland on Saturday, with mounted police brought in from other forces.

“We obviously had to restrict operational duties during the contagious stage, with every precaution taken to ensure the horses did not come into contact with members of the public. However, they have now finished their course of anti-bacterial treatment and are believed to be clear of the infection, so are working on full operational duties.

“Other than the football match duty, the outbreak of ringworm has had no impact on operational policing in the region.”