Boston disbands Mounted Unit

BOSTON – The clip-clop of police horses will no longer be heard on Boston streets.

The nation’s first Mounted Unit will be disbanded Tuesday because of budget cuts, its 12 horses given new homes – at least until the city can come up with funds to restore the unit.

Police Commissioner Ed Davis told the Boston City Council he had to choose between animals and people in the budget, and chose to keep people.

The Mounted Unit dates to 1873.