FORT POLK, LA (AP) — The Army says it's going over more than 700 public comments while it considers how to get rid of hundreds of horses that wander on the base. A news release says a decision is expected in January.
Officials say the horses endanger themselves and soldiers by gathering in open grassy areas used for parachute, aircraft and live fire exercises. Officials say they don't have any documented reports of accidents, but want to prevent any.
The statement says many people ask why the horses don't have an honored place as descendants of cavalry horses and those left behind by people forced out of homes when the base was created. Officials say there's no proof of such origin, and many probably were abandoned by owners who could not afford them.
