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News Release

March 01, 2006

OVC Memorial Fund Created to Honour Police Horse

The Toronto Police Service and the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) have created a special memorial fund following the death of Brigadier, a police horse that died in the line of duty after being struck by a hit-and-run driver Feb. 24.

“We are deeply touched and honoured to accept gifts in memory of Brigadier,” said OVC dean Elizabeth Stone. “There is nothing quite like the bond between rider and horse. On behalf of the college, I would like to extend our sympathies to the injured officer and the Toronto Police Service on the tragic loss of such a heroic, beautiful animal.”

OVC clinicians have provided specialist services to the force’s mounted unit for many years, so it’s fitting that they support one another at such a difficult time, Stone added.

A memorial service for Brigadier will be held March 6 at 10 a.m. at the Ricoh Coliseum on the Canadian National Exhibition grounds.

After being euthanized because of the severity of his injuries, Brigadier was transported to Guelph Saturday morning for an autopsy. One of the investigators on the case, Det. Const. Kimberley Greener, is also an OVC graduate.

“Grant Maxie was phenomenal,” said Greener, referring to the director of the Animal Health Laboratory (AHL), who went into the lab at 1 a.m. to receive Brigadier personally. She also lauded Murray Hazlett of the AHL, who came in Saturday to do the autopsy, and the radiologist who took X-rays. “These are all things that we need for evidence in court.”

It was Greener who suggested to the head of the mounted unit, Staff Inspector William Wardle, that the police service might want to acknowledge the support from OVC and the AHL.

“I’m just glad that he decided to take the ball and run with it,” said Greener, who, in addition to her duties as a full-time police officer, still manages to practise veterinary medicine part time.

Wardle said the Toronto Police Service is proud of its partnership with OVC and the University of Guelph. “We are also very grateful for the assistance and dedication shown by Dr. Hazlett and the staff last Saturday. We hope the donations made in Brigadier’s name will help the veterinary college achieve its goals.”

Gifts made in the horse’s memory will be directed toward the Brigadier Memorial Fund at the Ontario Veterinary College to support clinical care for horses at the Large-Animal Clinic.