Sylvania, Alabama Woman Arrested for DUI While Riding Her Horse

Melissa Byrum York rode her horse on the streets of Sylvania, Alabama around midnight, causing traffic problems and endangering her horse. Cars had to swerve to avoid hitting the horse. As a result, Office John Seals stopped her for riding a horse while intoxicated. However, this was just the beginning of Ms. York's legal issues.

Instead of cooperating with the officer, she caused the horse to ram into the police vehicle, and she repeatedly kicked the horse in order to get away from the police officer. However, after running away on horseback after hitting the police vehicle, she attempted to flee on foot. As she tried to get down from the horse, she caught her foot in the stirrups.

When Officer Seals finally apprehended her, she was found to have drug paraphernalia, methamphetamines, marijuana, pills, and more. She was then arrested not only for the DUI for riding her horse while intoxicated; she was also arrested for resisting arrest, drug possession, as well as animal cruelty. While her horse is still alive, it is not doing too well.

While interesting, Ms. York's case demonstrates that it is never a good idea to horseback ride, drive, or operate a boat while intoxicated. Lesser known than laws governing drunk driving, you can be arrested for being under the influence while horseback riding, operating a boat, snowmobiling, or operating an off-road vehicle in many areas. Every year there are many accidents and deaths involving alcohol that don't involve cars. In this case, it is unclear just what role alcohol did play due to the presence of other drugs.

It can be debated as to whether alcohol or methamphetamines was the primary cause of Ms. York's behavior. By riding her horse in such an impaired state, she not only risked her own life, as well as that of her horse, she also endangered the lives of motorists, as well as Officer Seals.
According to the Fox News article, "York was released from the DeKalb County Jail on $4,000 bond and was being transferred to the jail in Jackson County, where authorities had a warrant for her arrest on unrelated charges, Gregg said. Jackson County officials said Tuesday that York had yet to be booked, and there were no records indicating whether she had a lawyer." (Fox News Article)

At this time, there is no news regarding who now has custody of the horse involved. Hopefully local humane societies have come to the poor animal's rescue.