Punching Horse May Land Man in Deep Doodoo

OROVILLE, Calif. – A 24-year-old man could be shoveling horse manure as part of his punishment for punching a police horse.

Butte County Superior Court Judge Stephen Benson sentenced Robert William Huff, of Chico, to 20 hours of community service and 24 hours in jail after he pleaded no contest Tuesday to a charge of assaulting a police horse.

The horse, named "Bailey," was helping police control fraternity party crowds last Labor Day when Huff allegedly backhanded it in the face. Huff’s attorney, William Short, said the horse had stepped on Huff’s foot and was he was trying to get it off.

"There was never any malicious intent," Short said.

District attorney Mike Ramsey said he hopes Huff’s probation will be spent "shoveling horse manure at the Chico police mounted unit’s training grounds."