Woman arrested for striking police horse

TAMPA -- A Tampa woman was arrested for punching a police horse in Ybor City early Sunday morning, Tampa Police said.

According to the arrest report, three officers on horses were working to clear a crowd outside of Club Prana, 1619 E. 7th Ave., around 3 a.m. The crowd was surrounding police who were arresting participants from an earlier fight.

Angelica Rene Ayala, 26, of 2511 W. Conrad St., grabbed the reins of a black quarterhorse named Buddy and punched the animal in the neck, police say. She was taken into custody and charged with striking a police animal, which is a misdemeanor.

-- Times staff writer