Man Charged With Burning Austin Police Horse With Cigarette

A Central Texas man has been charged with using a cigarette to burn the neck of an Austin police horse along entertainment-popular Sixth Street.

Investigators say 23-year-old Tyrone Branch Jr. of Austin has been charged with interference with a public service animal. The horse named Drago suffered a burn mark on its neck during the incident early Sunday but no serious injury.

An affidavit says police were in the process of arresting a woman and some nearby pedestrians became upset. An officer saw Drago jerk its head in response to being burning and Branch was arrested. Details on why the woman was arrested weren't immediately available.

Travis County jail records did not list Branch as being in custody Tuesday. No publicly listed phone number could immediately be found for him.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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