HPD mourns loss of patrol horse

HOUSTON – The Houston Police Department mourned the loss of one of its mounted patrol horses. The horse's name was Charlotte and she was 6 years old.

An officer was riding Charlotte at Fannin and Congress about 10:15 Thursday when something spooked the horse, police said. She spun around, started running and was hit by a cement truck. The horse's back legs were injured and doctors had to put her down.

The officer was thrown from the horse and suffered minor injuries.

The HPD released a statement saying, "She loved her job and was always ready to go to work putting bad guys in jail or giving nuzzles to children. She served the citizens of Houston for 4 years. She will be missed."

Police were investigating, but said they don't believe the driver of the cement truck was at fault.