DULUTH - A Gwinnett County city will use horse patrols for a five-week trial period. <br>
<br>
Authorities say the horses are needed to patrol green space in Duluth. <br>
<br>
Police Chief Randy Belcher says he hopes the horses will became a permanent part of the department. <br>
<br>
Two officers will ride on horseback starting Friday and continue the patrol until January sixth. <br>
<br>
Duluth residents Valerie and Rick Adams donated the two horses, named Fancy and Cody, from their stable for the trial run. But police say it will take a financial commitment from the city to create a permanent mounted unit. <br>
<br>
Other law enforcement departments in metro Atlanta, including one in Forsyth County, have mounted units. <br>
<br>
The Forsyth County Sheriff's Department started its mounted unit in 2001 with two horses. Captain Frank Huggins says it is paid for by private donations. <br>
<br>
Atlanta's mounted police force fell victim to budget cuts in March of this year after 30 years of riding high in the saddle. <br>
<br>
The three remaining mounted officers began new duties as part of a plan to make more police available to respond to 911 calls.
