Police rescue two escaped ponies

Two ponies were rescued by two policemen after falling into a deep trench along L-Għakrux Street in Żabbar.

Seven ponies and horses had escaped from a nearby stable in St Peter's, Xgħajra early yesterday morning and eyewitnesses said two of them fell in the trench and could not climb back out.

The police were called on the emergency number and in turn informed the local police station and the police stables, normal practice in accidents involving farm animals.

Two officers, mounted policemen with experience in handling horses, drove out to the site. One of them climbed into the trench and tied the ponies with lengths of rope. He and the other policemen then pulled them to safety.

Together with the other five ponies and horses, which were meanwhile rounded up in St Peter's and in St Leonard and L-Għakrux streets, the rescued ponies were returned to their stables and securely locked in.

Other than escorting newly appointed ambassadors to the capital city and the occasional display, mounted police perform a range of other duties. They are often seen at football stadiums in case they are needed to control the crowd and also patrol beaches on the lookout for petty theft.