Shocking - and frankly strange - footage has emerged that shows a man being arrested after aiming punches at a police horse during trouble after the Carabao Cup game between Portsmouth and Southampton last night.
The police were trying to contain fans in the aftermath of Southampton's 4 - 0 win when one guy took things way too far and started swinging for the poor police horse.
Exactly what goes through these people's heads?
The man - who appears to be a Portsmouth fan - tried to land a blow on the police horse before the footage shows him pointing and shouting at the officer on the back of the horse.
During the video, one bystander can be heard shouting: "He's swinging for a horse! He's swinging for a horse!"
Then, the man bolts for it and tries to make a swift escape. The horse and rider give chase, but luckily the thug ran straight into a group of riot officers.
The offender was then brought to the ground and even struck with batons in order to subdue him.
In the background of the video, someone else can be heard saying: "Batons out, batons out! They're whacking him. He's finished, he is mate. He's finished."
The video was shared on social media last night and people have been offering their opinions on the man's actions.
One person wrote: "Sure they've just brought a new law out about attacking police horses/dogs. He'll be made an example of for sure!"
Another said: "Should have let the horse have a free swing at him."
However, one cheeky so-and-so added: "The horse is in a stable condition".
Very good.
This is a serious matter, however. It should go without saying that you shouldn't be cutting about aiming shots at anyone, let alone police horses.
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A statement from Hampshire Constabulary said: "A 52-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of animal cruelty and attempt criminal damage. He remains in custody at this time."
As strange as it is, it's not the first time that something like this has happened though.
Last year, 23-year-old Scott Spurling was spared jail for attacking a police horse in the aftermath of England's exit from the World Cup.
Spurling, of Weston-Super-Mare (perhaps ironically) admitted assault by beating and causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.
He was punished with a 10-week community order and ordered to pay £500 compensation.
However, Newcastle fan Barry Rogerson was jailed for 12 months and banned from football matches for six years in 2013 for punching a police horse after Newcastle's 3 - 0 defeat to bitter rivals Sunderland.
In sentencing him, Judge Paul Sloan QC said: "Someone tried to pull you away but you pushed him away.
"A horse started to move towards you and you were told to move back, you had plenty of opportunities to move away.
"You stood your ground and attacked the horse by punching it in the head.
"There was a risk of serious injury, the officer could easily have been thrown from the horse and could have sustained serious injury."
The moral of the story is this - stop trying to punch police horses.
Actually, whilst we're at it, don't punch anything!
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