A horse named Matilda has been reunited with her owner after wandering off an Innisfil farm early this morning.
South Simcoe police were called to the area of Innisfil Beach Road near Alcona Glen Elementary School after receiving numerous calls from concerned citizens about a horse on the loose.
One of the callers was an Alcona Glen teacher who contacted police after spotting the animal on school property. Earlier this morning, one of the teacher's Grade 1 students had told her a horse had been seen walking down their street.
She was skeptical about the story until she saw the horse for herself roaming outside the school.
South Simcoe police Consts. Pat McFall and Mark Collucci were called to the scene to help contain the horse, which was found east of the Alcona Glen Animal Hospital on Innisfil Beach Road.
All of the police department's vehicles are equipped with life-saving ropes, which were used to help corral Matilda with the help of a few helpful citizens.
"The horse was super co-operative. She was more hungry than anything," said McFall.
After securing the horse, employees at the nearby Sobeys stopped by to feed Matilda some apples.
"She was a very sweet girl," Collucci said with a laugh. "We're like best friends now."
Thankfully the owner, Lindsay, was at the scene within the hour, after realizing Matilda had escaped from her farm a few kilometres down the road.
McFall has been with South Simcoe police for eight months and has attended eight service calls in the area related to farm animals.
"It's not very common, but it's not surprising when we get them," he said.
Matilda is currently at the school being corralled by South Simcoe police officers and owner making arrangements to transport her back to the Innisfil farm.
