WARRIOR the thinking police horse is being put out to pasture.
The 20-year-old Cleveland bay, which taps out Middlesbrough FC's match scores with its hoof, goes on duty for the last time today.
Warrior, who is a familiar sight on patrol outside the Boro's Cellnet Riverside Stadium on match days, will officially retire after today's home game with West Ham.
PC Mike Twinn, his rider for the past ten years, said: "We are expecting a good response for him tomorrow. He is a favourite with the football crowds. I taught him to count with his feet. People at the matches would ask him for the score and he would give it.''
The pair also appeared on TV's Big Breakfast Show.
Warrior has been serving with Cleveland Police for 16 years, during which time he earned the nickname Thuggy, because while he works well with the other horses on the street, he is a bully back at the stables, where he likes to have not only his own space - but his own field. He does not like water and will fight to walk around a puddle, although he will go into the sea.
PC Twinn has been working with another horse for the past month, but will be on Warrior for the last patrol today.
"I do miss him and I know he will be missed by a lot of people, because he is a character,'' said PC Twinn.
"He is a good solid police horse. He has covered everything from school liaison visits to riots, without batting an eyelid.'
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article