Escaped Horse Causes Stir at JFK Airport Before Safe Return
NEW YORK, N.Y. — An unexpected visitor trotted through the busy grounds of John F. Kennedy International Airport on Sunday, prompting swift action from Port Authority officers. The loose horse, which had escaped from a nearby facility, was first spotted darting through traffic on the Van Wyck Expressway and the airport exit ramp, causing a brief disruption in one of the nation’s busiest transportation hubs.
Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Lt. Luis Calderon and Officer Nicolas Delgado were on duty when reports came in about the horse running loose. Witnesses captured video of the animal weaving through cars, raising concerns about safety for both motorists and the horse itself. According to Officer Delgado, the initial sighting was surprising. “I was a little confused, like baffled. I thought someone was riding at first,” he told WPIX-TV. However, as they approached, it became clear the horse was unaccompanied, wearing only a halter.
The horse had apparently escaped from Curly’s Cowboy Center, a stable located near the airport. After running through airport property, it made its way onto the Van Wyck Expressway, a major artery that connects JFK to the city. The Port Authority officers attempted to corner the animal to prevent it from entering more dangerous areas, but it initially eluded capture.
Lt. Calderon recounted how the horse eventually allowed itself to be caught: “It came towards me. I put out my hands as if to pet it, and he basically let me hold on to the halter. Then the officer came to the other side and assisted me in just maintaining control of the horse,” he told WABC-TV. The calm demeanor of the officers and their quick thinking ensured the horse was safely wrangled without injury.
JFK Airport, operated by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, is one of the busiest airports in the United States, handling millions of passengers annually. Incidents like this are rare but highlight the importance of vigilant security and emergency response teams who manage both human and unexpected animal intrusions.
Following the successful capture, the horse was returned safely to Curly’s Cowboy Center. The incident serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by law enforcement and airport personnel in maintaining safety in a complex urban environment.
For more on airport security and emergency response protocols, visit the Transportation Security Administration and the Federal Aviation Administration. The Port Authority continues to monitor the situation to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
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