Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Spooked Police Horse Chased By Cop Car With Sirens & Lights On
By
Jen Chung
Published Jul 21, 2014
Modified Jul 21, 2014
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published Jul 21, 2014
Modified Jul 21, 2014
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Here's another strange tip from a reader, albeit one that doesn't surprise us all that much: "Yesterday evening at 6:02 p.m., a police horse was first heard and then spotted galloping westbound in the 300 block of West 49th St. The large horse had no rider and the saddle apparatus was hanging to one side."
The tipster continues: "One of NYC's finest chased the equine beast in a police car with lights on and siren blaring. Many bystanders and residents noticed the situation with alarm. Many cried out as the horse headed right into the busy evening traffic of 9th Avenue. The horse was calmed down and detained in the 400 block of West 49th Street. An officer on the scene reported no one was hurt."
Via Gothamist reader
The Wild West Side show started at around 6 p.m. just after the mounted officer pulled to the side of the street to let a little girl pet his steed about a half-block north of West 42nd Street.
He pulled back into the avenue, but at West 44th Street, the horse, apparently spooked by a garbage truck behind it, bolted and the officer lost his balance.
He tried but failed to to hold on.
The horse hoofed it north on Sixth Avenue before turning west onto 49th Street, leaving gouges in the pavement. It kept galloping west to 10th Avenue before cops corralled it.
A hot dog vendor told the tabloid, "It was a very, very nervous black horse. I saw a woman jump out of the way of the horse. I ran to a pay phone and called 911." But a police officer told the Post it wasn't that unusual.
Tagged
10 foot cop
nypd
police horse
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Mamdani names re-entry specialist as chair of Rikers oversight board
Christopher Watler will help the department that a federal monitor says remains in crisis.
By
Ryan Kost
Published Oct 6, 2026 at 3:52 p.m. ET
NYC weighs expanding upstate reservoir following drought
The Delaware River Basin Commission is evaluating options to increase water storage, including expanding a reservoir in New York City.
By
Rosemary Misdary
News
NYC weighs expanding upstate reservoir following drought
The Delaware River Basin Commission is evaluating options to increase water storage, including expanding a reservoir in New York City.
By
Rosemary Misdary
Legionella found in Staten Island building's water system after 2 positive cases
By
Catalina Gonella
Legal 'loophole' helps NY Gov. Kathy Hochul, Bruce Blakeman raise millions
By
Jon Campbell
Police identify 2 men wanted for stabbing an off-duty NYPD officer
By
Ben Feuerherd
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .