OHIO UNIVERSITY
Cop reins in student he says hit horse
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
Randy Ludlow
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Whether it be adoring strokes on the muzzle or a punch between the eyes, Chip the police horse takes it all in stride.
The same cannot be said of his partner, Athens Police Officer Randy Gray, when it comes to his ride.
The mounted officer was none too pleased Saturday night when a man threw a haymaker at his hay muncher.
Corey Logan, 21, an Ohio University football player from Columbus, was charged with hitting the horse while officers broke up a brawl outside a bar.
"We were forcing them up the sidewalk and this guy turned around and hit the horse," Gray said. "He used the heel of his hand and did a heel strike on him right between the eyes."
At 1,100 pounds, Chip was unfazed. It was the third time Gray’s rides have been hit by OU students during late-night partying along Court Street.
"I don’t know what they think they’re going to accomplish," Gray said of the equine assaults. "Alcohol usually is involved."
Logan pleaded not guilty yesterday in Athens County Municipal Court. Another hearing in his case was set for May 15.
Assaulting a police dog or horse is a second-degree misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail and a $750 fine.
Logan, an all-city player at Northland High School, is a junior tight end for the Bobcats. He denied hitting the horse, saying he flinched and accidentally struck the horse with his elbow after the animal’s head bumped him.
Rudy Sylvan, 21, a junior tight end from City, Calif., was charged with disorderly conduct in the same fracas outside the Pub. He pleaded not guilty. Any disciplinary action against the players by the OU athletics department will await the outcome of their court cases, a spokesman said.
Thankfully, Gray said, most OU students adore Athens’ two police horses — Officer Neal Dicken rides Betty — and enjoy petting them and greeting them by name.
"It’s a tremendous PR tool with the students," he said. "The horses have their own sets of fans. They don’t have a clue what my name is, but they know Chip’s."
The incident continues a string of curiosities involving cop critters in Athens County.
Athens police have previously charged several OU students for barking at Pepsie the police dog in violation of the state law that forbids tormenting or assaulting law-enforcement animals.
In one case in 2003, an appeals court ruled that free speech includes the right to "woof" at a barking police dog.
And, Andi, a dog with the sheriff’s office, made headlines last year when he was sued by a convicted Athens County marijuana dealer who claimed an illegal search of his business.
The lawsuit was dropped, but not before Andi responded to the complaint by "signing" court papers with an inked paw print.
rludlow@dispatch.com
***"Free speech includes the right to "woof' at a dog!
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***dog sued and 'signs' court papers with paw!
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Student hits Horse
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