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Ceremony Held in Golden Gate Park For Retiring Police Horses

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) -- About 100 people gathered at the police department stables in Golden Gate Park Saturday for the retirement ceremony of two American Quarter Horses.

Twenty-five-year-old Hawk and 18-year-old Hunter are leaving the force to spend the rest of their days at the SPCA's 40 acre, pond-filled Police Horse Retirement Ranch in Sonoma County.

The decision to retire a horse is made after a veterinary consultation. Hunter never fully recovered from a leg injury. Hawk spent 13 years working.

KCBS' Anna Duckworth Reports:

Sgt. Bob Totah who rode Hawk for the past three years said saying goodbye is emotional.

"I almost broke down yesterday putting his paperwork together. It's tough," said Totah.

At the retirement officers performed a flag folding ceremony and a priest gave a blessing.

Sgt. Totah said horses make great partners because of their gentle souls.

"That's the secret behind the bond. The animal listens to the rider and they work in unison," said Totah.

San Francisco has the second oldest continuous mounted unit in the country at 137 years old.

(Copyright 2011 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services may have contributed to this report.)

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