Tony the pony caught on the run near Richland Hills, relocated to new home, police say

A pony that was reported missing Thursday morning was found and captured by Richland Hills police, according to police officials.

“We are happy to announce the pony has been re-homed and remains a resident of Richland Hills,” Richland Hills police announced in a Facebook post Friday. “Along with his new home, which includes some new horse friends to share the property with, he has a new name, ‘Tony.’”

“We wish Tony the best and hope his days of galloping alongside cars and running from the law are behind him,” the post continued. “We still don’t know where he was headed or what his plans were…maybe trying to get to the Stock Show?”

At about 7:20 am Thursday, the Richland Hills Police Department responded to the report of loose livestock at the intersection of the 6300 block of Baker Boulevard and the 6300 block of Boulevard 26.

Several 911 calls were received regarding a “small horse in the area,” police said.

Richland Hills police arrived and located Tony the pony. They determined the pony came from a residence in the community.

“We called the professional cowboys for assistance,” Richland Hills police said in a Facebook post. “Some jobs require a cowboy on a horse with a rope.”

The Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office Livestock Unit was contacted for assistance in capturing the pony.

The pony was safely taken into custody and the owner of the pony was notified, police said.

“Shout out and thanks to our partners over at the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office for saddling up and wrangling this little fella for us,” Richland Hills police said in the Facebook post. “Pony is safe.”

This incident is still under investigation as to the circumstances surrounding the pony getting loose.

This story was originally published January 19, 2023 at 4:23 PM.