Colo. Sheriff's Office Horse Euthanized after Severe Illness
By O'Dell Isaac
Source The Gazette (Colorado Springs, Colo.)
The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office on Monday announced that it had to bid farewell to one of its four-footed members over the weekend.
Zulu, an Andalusian Quarter Horse cross who served with the Sheriff’s Office Mounted Unit for nearly 10 years, was euthanized Sunday after a veterinary hospital diagnosed him with a severe illness, according to a news release. He was 20 years old.
“I am saddened to announce Zulu’s untimely death and mourn both with our Mounted Unit and community,” Sheriff Joseph Roybal said in a statement.
A beloved “gentle giant,” Zulu had been a Mounted Unit mainstay, participating in parades, presidential details, advanced training and schools, rescue operations, and searches, including work on the Gannon Stauch case in 2020, Sheriff’s Office officials said.
“Zulu was a staple for our Mounted Unit team, always dependable and ready to work,” Roybal said.
On Sunday, a Mounted Unit team member noticed that Zulu was in obvious discomfort and called for veterinary care. After examining the horse, a veterinarian confirmed that he had a severe case of colic.
Colic is an abdominal disorder that can cause severe pain in horses, according to the American College of Veterinary Surgeons.
“Several attempts to treat Zulu were unsuccessful, and the difficult decision was made by Sheriff Roybal and our Mounted Unit leadership to end Zulu’s pain and suffering and humanely euthanize him,” the release stated.
“We will miss Zulu,” Roybal said. “His absence will be greatly noticed.”
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