Police in South Australia have paid tribute to one of their much-loved police horses, police horse ‘Xyla’, who sadly passed away on Thursday 3rd December.
A spokesperson for South Australia Police said:
‘Sadly, one of our beloved ‘Greys’, Police Horse Xyla, 15, passed away yesterday, Thursday 3 December, after a short illness.
‘South Australia Mounted Police would like to acknowledge PH Xyla for her 12 years of police service and outstanding contribution to the South Australian community.
‘The Mounted Operations Unit feel privileged to have had a horse like PH Xyla among our troop.
‘We would like to acknowledge the members of the unit, both past and present, who contributed to producing such a courageous and trustworthy mount.
‘Mounted officers have pledged to continue to produce horses comparable to PH Xyla, that being of the highest standard for police duties.
‘Known affectionately among the troop as the dominant matron, she will also be remembered for her love of lollies and of the ocean.
‘Rest in peace, PH Xyla’.
Police horses take on a variety of roles including responding to public order incidents, general patrol duties and engaging with the general public as well as school children.
The dedicated and incredibly loyal horses go through months of training and form an extremely close bond with their human colleagues.
The spokesperson added:
‘You will be sorely missed and we are forever grateful.
‘Our distinctive ‘Greys’ are much-loved and valued members of South Australia Police and have been recognised as a State Heritage icon.
‘They are a select group, they must have the right temperament – placid, friendly and inquisitive – be a minimum of 16 hands high (a measurement from the ground to the withers of 1.6m) and of course be grey in colour’.
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