Maine State Police Capture Runaway Horse on The Interstate

If you were traveling early Wednesday morning along I-95 near Burnham, you might’ve done a double-take, because yes, that really was a horse trotting down the interstate.

Just after 3 a.m. on July 9, the Bangor Regional Communications Center started getting calls about a loose horse running along the highway. According to a press release from the Maine Department of Public Safety, it was first seen in the northbound breakdown lane near mile marker 145, keeping pace with traffic before crossing over the median and heading into the southbound lanes.

Troopers from Troop I, including Trooper Andrew Peterson, Specialist Hailey Fleming, and Trooper Dan Murray, quickly responded and found the runaway horse galloping in the passing lane near mile marker 143.

Using a rope and some quick thinking, they were able to safely secure the animal to the push bumper of a cruiser. Thankfully, the horse wasn’t hurt, just a little spooked.

The owner, who lives nearby on Snake Root Road in Pittsfield, was notified and showed up not long after. Apparently, the horse had pulled a Houdini overnight and slipped away unnoticed. With help from Animal Control Officer Russell Craft, the horse was loaded up onto a trailer and brought home safe and sound.

A huge shout-out to the Troopers, the Animal Control team, and the Good Samaritans who stopped to help get the horse under control. Just another wild Maine story for the books!