Toronto Police Service donation acknowledges support from OVC, Animal Health Lab
BY BARRY GUNN, OVC
The Toronto Police Service and the Ontario Veterinary College 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,” says 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 adds.
After being euthanized because of the severity of his injuries, Brigadier was transported to Guelph for an autopsy early in the morning of Feb. 25. One of the investigators on the case, Det. Const. Kimberley Greener, is an OVC graduate.
“Grant Maxie was phenomenal,” says 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 lauds 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,” says Greener, who, in addition to her duties as a full-time police officer, still manages to practise veterinary medicine part time.
Wardle says Toronto police are proud of their partnership with OVC and U of G. “We are also very grateful for the assistance and dedication shown by Dr. Hazlett and the staff. 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 support clinical care for horses at the Large-Animal Clinic. Donations to the Brigadier Memorial Fund can be made by credit card at www.alumni.uoguelph.ca/cgi-bin/online_giving2004.pl or by cheque to Alumni House.
