Police horse dies after being left in his stall with no food or water

A Denver police officer has been docked a day’s holiday after he forgot to tend to his horse, who subsequently died from colic.

Distracted by paperwork

Mounted police officer Joseph Teeter left MC Hammer without food or water for 16 hours. The horse developed colic and sadly died.

Officer Teeter had spent the day patrolling downtown Denver with his horse, in late September when temperatures reached 25 degrees Celsius. Returning to the mounted patrol barn, Teeter tied MC Hammer up in his stall, before becoming distracted by paperwork.

No chance of recovery

The next morning MC Hammer was discovered, still tethered, in the stall. The horse was later taken to Littleton Equine Medical Center and diagnosed with colic. Vets could not be certain this was due to Teeter’s neglect. With no chance of recovery, the horse was consequently euthanised.

A serving officer with Denver police for over 10 years, Officer Teeter, who remains a member of the mounted patrol, showed genuine remorse for the tragedy. Due to violating department rules, Teeter has lost one day’s holiday. An internal investigation concluded that Officer Teeter’s actions were not intentional.