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Trooper Andrew Peterson, left, and Specialist Hailey Fleming of the Maine State Police stand next to a horse reported loose on I-95 near Burnham early Wednesday morning. Trooper Dan Murray, who is not pictured, also played a key role in ensuring the horse’s safety and helping return it to its owner, state police said. (Courtesy of Maine State Police)

State troopers put away their handcuffs and got out their lasso to wrangle a horse that apparently wandered away from its home and onto Interstate 95 near Burnham early Wednesday morning, according to the Maine State Police.

The horse was first spotted in the northbound breakdown lane near mile marker 145, running along with traffic, the agency said in a statement. The horse then crossed the median into the southbound lanes.

Troopers spotted the equine around 3 a.m. near mile marker 143 in Burnham, police said.

The troopers used a rope to secure the horse, which they tied to a cruiser’s bumper, police said.

“Although frightened, the horse was not injured,” state police said.

The owner, who police did not identify and said lives near the area on Snake Root Road in Pittsfield, came to the scene to take the horse home, police said. The owner had not been aware the horse wandered off in the middle of the night. Animal Control Officer Russell Craft also assisted in loading the horse onto a trailer.

“We also want to thank the members of the public who stopped to assist troopers in getting the horse under control,” state police said.

Jake covers public safety, courts and immigration in central Maine. He started reporting at the Morning Sentinel in November 2023 and previously covered all kinds of news in Skowhegan and across Somerset...