Oz man 'punches horse in head' in wild brawl

Melbourne, Aug 22 (ANI): A brawl in downtown Darwin landed a police officer in hospital after a man allegedly attacked a horse, punching it in the head a number of times.

Police have labelled it a "cowardly act" on members who attempted to keep everyone safe, the Sunday Terrorian reports.

Territory Duty Superintendent Robert Burgoyne said police moved to resolve the fight.

He said a 24-year-old Australian man attacked police horse Bunda Cocaine with a "flurry of punches" to the head and neck, as well as pulling on the bridle.

"Police members went to the aid of the horse and attempted to restrain the 24-year-old," the Daily Telegraph quoted Burgoyne as telling the Sunday Terrorian.

"The male continued with the punches and struck one constable to the stomach region and also the other officer to the head area," he said.

The officer who had been punched in the head was then found lying "face down" in the gutter, Burgoyne said.

"(He was) in an extremely disoriented state, and was consistent with someone being knocked unconscious," he added. (ANI)