A 43-year-old man from Poland is under investigation for animal abuse after CCTV footage captured him using a self-service car wash to wash his horse with a high-pressure hose.
The footage shows the man arriving at the car wash in a horse-drawn carriage in the town of Maków Mazowiecki, north of the capital Warsaw.
The man is then seen spraying the distressed animal with hot water while a companion holds the horse's reins.
The horse, visibly agitated, thrashes around, eventually collapsing to the ground before rearing up and kicking a partition wall.
Horse washing goes viral on the internet
Images of the incident quickly went viral online, sparking outrage across social media.
One user commented, “This behavior is absolutely unacceptable! It’s not just ignorance but a clear example of cruelty.”
Another added, “This bestiality will soon make waves. I hope the perpetrators receive the punishment they deserve.”
Police tracked the man to the nearby village of Malech and have launched an investigation into both animal cruelty and property damage.
Police spokeswoman Monika Winnik stated: “The horse destroyed hooks that secured the partition walls at the car wash after being scared.
“Washing a horse in such a setting was highly irresponsible and dangerous to others.
“Further investigations are underway,” Winnik confirmed.
The man could face up to three years in jail if found guilty of animal abuse and related charges.
