Outlaw is safe: Mustang missing since June captured near Liberty Reservoir

MOUNT AIRY, Md. — A Mustang horse that sparked concern and captured the attention of neighbors for more than two months is finally safe after a successful capture effort Thursday.

Carroll County Animal Control announced Thursday that the horse was successfully captured and transported to Gentle Giants Draft Horse Rescue in Mount Airy after weeks of patient efforts by animal welfare groups, horse experts and volunteers.

The horse, now known as Outlaw, had been loose in the area since late June, and drawn widespread attention from neighbors concerned about his safety.

Officials said Animal Control coordinated the operation with professional horseman JR Raulerson and Gentle Giants Draft Horse Rescue. Because of the horse's Mustang background, Animal Control also consulted with the Bureau of Land Management on appropriate trapping techniques.

RELATED CONTENT: Neighbors worry for loose horse near Liberty Reservoir

Outlaw is a BLM mustang; true to his name, he reportedly escaped toward the end of June. Baltimore City manages Liberty Reservoir; its Department of Public Works said the horse jumped a fence after being scared by a lawnmower.

The mustang wound up near Liberty Reservoir, and neighbors became worried, not just for the animal's welfare, but for the traffic, with school travel ramping up on already-busy nearby roads.

One neighbor took to putting up a sign alerting drivers to the horse's presence.

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"The horse was coming out in the morning and at night to feed on the luscious grass along the roadway," explained Jaime Limoges, executive director for the Humane Society of Carroll County, "which is what was making drivers very nervous and definitely created a safety situation.”

On Thursday, crews assembled dozens of fence panels to create a temporary chute leading to a trailer. Officials said the horse moved through the chute on his own and entered the trailer without incident.

“A horse like this," Limoges added, "if you spook them, they're going to dart, and that can actually be the most unsafe thing about this entire process. So we really wanted to keep the, the horse calm and get used to us sort of being around and get used to this pen.”

The Carroll County Sheriff's Office and Maryland Department of Natural Resources assisted with traffic control during the transport.

Outlaw is now being cared for at Gentle Giants Draft Horse Rescue, where officials say he has settled safely into a stall.

Members of the public interested in supporting Outlaw's ongoing care can donate directly to Gentle Giants Draft Horse Rescue.

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