You Can Get A DUI Riding Drunk On A Horse in Oklahoma
Cars are obviously the main mode of transportation in Oklahoma, but there are still plenty of people who ride horseback to town. After seeing a viral video of a cowboy claiming he could not get a DUI in the state of North Carolina while riding drunk on horseback, I got to wondering - is this true for Oklahoma, too?
Can You Get A DUI From Riding a Horse Drunk in Oklahoma?
The short answer is: yes, you can get a DUI for riding horseback drunk in Oklahoma. Although a DUI is classified as operating a "motor vehicle," animals and animal-drawn vehicles are treated the same as motor vehicles on the road.
It also has to do with the fact that horses and animal drawn vehicles require a driver in order to operate safely on the roads (in most cases). Since the rider or driver is still responsible for getting them where they need to go, they legally have to be sober while doing it.
There Are More Penalties For Handling Animals Drunkenly
Some states can also go as far as charging riders with animal cruelty if riding or working with their horse while intoxicated. Oklahoma's law states that "any person who shall willfully or maliciously torture, destroy or kill, or cruelly beat or injure, maim or mutilate any animal in subjugation or captivity, whether wild or tame, and whether belonging to the person or to another, or deprive any such animal of necessary food, drink, shelter, or veterinary care to prevent suffering;" and some say that putting an animal at risk while riding drunk is a form of endangering.
@officer_705 #duet with @Christian Braswell #cops #copsoftiktok #nightshift #policeofficer #dui#horse ♬ original sound - Christian Braswell
Other penalties drunk riders can receive are:
Where Are You Likely To Get A Horse-Related DUI in Oklahoma?
One comment from Instagram drew my attention to the fact that Amish country is one of the most common places to receive a DUI or citation while drinking and driving or riding.
Oklahoma is still home to several different Amish communities like in Choteau, Clarita, Westville, Thomas and more. They regularly use horse drawn vehicles and equipment and use horses for transportation, so it makes sense for horse-related DUIs to be more common in this part of Oklahoma.
But the Amish spend a great deal more of their time working hard and making some incredible foods. You can actually visit the most popular authentic Amish eateries and more.
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Gallery Credit: Kelso
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Gallery Credit: Kelso