An intoxicated man struck a police horse on the corner of State and Lake streets and was charged with battery just after midnight Sunday morning.

Police allowed the 27-year-old Janesville man and a group of his friends to pet the horses they were mounted on. According to the police report, the man then proceeded to ” slap one horse very hard on the rump.”

The report said the horse jumped forward, almost dismounting the officer and posing a threat to bystanders. After hitting the horse, the man immediately apologized, quickly realizing his error.

“The men were pretty intoxicated,” said Madison Police Department Lt. Joe Balles.

The horses are all trained for a limited amount of contact — petting and picture taking, for instance, is allowed by MPD — but cannot handle being punched, hit or slapped, Balles said.

Balles explained any type of behavior like this would most likely result in arrest.

When it comes to the acceptable contact with the horses, common sense should be used, Balles said, adding although these are trained animals, it is never appropriate to attempt to inflict pain upon them.

Police animal safety is protected under a new Wisconsin statute that specifically protects the safety of law enforcement animals.

There is a line of respect that must be upheld in regard to the police horses in order for the officers to be able to complete their job, Balles said.

There has been an increased presence of police horses on State Street in recent years, due in part to the increased efforts of the downtown safety initiative.

Along with increased enforcement, there has been an increase in the disturbances between citizens and the animals.

“This is not the first incident,” Joel DeSpain, MPD spokesperson, said regarding the recent arrest.

The newly visible and increasingly popular police horses aid in providing safety and crowd control on campus, Balles said. Since they will be a prominent staple on State Street this coming Halloween, he added, students should familiarize themselves as to what interactions between horses and citizens are appropriate.

“They allow for easier crowd control and ensure safety,” said Balles.

The benefits of implementing the police horse force on campus have made the initiative a success.

With thousands roaming State Street on any given weekend around bar time, horses allow police to have a better handle on the crowds, Balles said.