STATEN ISLAND — The cowboy who moseyed on into Staten Island with two horses Monday had his steeds seized by the city, reports said.
The animals that 80-year-old Tod "Doc" Mishler took over the Outerbridge Crossing were taken by police Tuesday and are currently awaiting treatment at Ocean Breeze Park, city officials said.
Despite officials saying Mishler signed a waiver that gave consent for his horses to be taken, the urban cowboy rallied outside the facility with supporters Wednesday to demand them back, the Staten Island Advance reported.
Mishler told the paper he was staying in the West Shore Motel after his ride when he learned that the horses were being siezed.
"I'm in the room and I'm resting up and I get a knock on the door and one of the tenants says, 'They're taking your horses," he told the paper, "I put my pants on and run out there, I got my boots on, didn't even have my socks on!"
A spokesman for District Attorney Michael McMahon's office said Mishler consented to police taking his horses and the animals are currently awaiting a visit from a vet.
"Yesterday, individuals from our office and the NYPD met with Mr. Mishler, he signed a waiver for consent to allow the horses to be treated and at this time they are currently awaiting visitation from a veterinarian on a facility on Staten Island," the spokesman said.
Mishler — who has ridden his horses across the country to raise awareness for childhood hunger — caused a traffic jam Monday as he giddy-upped across the Outerbridge Crossing — which is not allowed.
In case you're wondering why there's traffic on the Outerbridge Crossing #outerbridgecrossing #traffic @NBCNews pic.twitter.com/9j8t4zMWDw
— Ryan Calvert (@calvs88) June 27, 2016
He was given two summonses for the ride by the Port Authority, according to the Advance.
This isn't the first time Mishler's cross-country rides have caught the attention of law enforcement officials.
He was arrested in Madison, Wisconsin, in 2011 after police said his horses looked dehydrated and underfed. The charges were eventually dropped, the Wisconsin State Journal reported.
