Shreveport Police Dept.

Date: Feb 7, 2008

Phone: 318/673-6932 Fax: 318/673-6933

Contact: Kacee Hargrave, Public Information Officer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Police horse dies

Shreveport Police are mourning the loss of one of the original members of the Mounted Patrol Unit.

Chata (pronounced Chaw-Da) died today of an illness, suspected to be cancer. Chata would have been 22 years old this year.

The Spanish Mustang was on the verge of retirement.He started having symptoms a few weeks ago, suffering from lack of appetite, bleeding from the nose and stomach problems.

Chata was the last of the original horses that started Mounted Patrol, which mainly patrols the downtown area and special events.

He had been on the force at about 17 years.

With the loss of Chata, the Mounted Patrol Unit now consists of six horses. Anyone who would like to donate money for a new horse, or anyone who would like to donate a horse that might be trainable for Mounted Patrol can call 673-7250.

Information can be left with crimestoppers at 673-7373 or by logging onto the crimestoppers website at www.crimestoppersshreveportcaddo.com.

-spd-

View all SPD press releases at www.ci.shreveport.la.us/dept/police/spdnews