NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — Tuesday is the first day of spring, and how does the New Orleans Police Department’s newest member of its mounted unit celebrate? “Patch,” the one-eyed miniature horse, celebrated spring by running and playing at the Mounted Unit stables in City Park.
Watch the video in the player above to see “Patch” run and roll around in the dirt.
NOPD officers say “Patch” loves to run around and roll any chance he can get, of course, when he’s not busy performing his police duties.
“Patch” is 15 years old and 3 feet tall. He only has one eye. He was born with a birth defect, so they removed his eye. He is also an emotional support animal for the other horses in the Mounted Unit, as well as the police officers.
“To be a nice, calming presence in the barn and for the officers, and ties the community and mounted division unit,” Jessica Dietz, president of Cops 8 said.
The Mounted Unit hasn’t had a miniature horse on the force since before Hurricane Katrina, and he comes to New Orleans from a breeder on the Northshore with the help of the nonprofit, Cops 8, which helps support officers in the Eighth District.
Fellow officers feel “Patch’s” horsepower!
“Everyone asks for ‘Patch.’ He’s become an overnight celebrity. He has his own Facebook and Instagram page,” said Captain Lejon Roberts with NOPD’s Eighth District.
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