Ontario Watchdog Says Freedom Convoy Protester Wasn't Seriously Injured By Police Horse

Ontario's police watchdog just found that the freedom convoy protester who claimed she was seriously injured by a police horse wasn't harmed enough to carry on with a full investigation.

The Special Investigations Unit was looking into the allegations of a "serious injury" reportedly suffered by a 49-year-old woman during the protests in Ottawa. According to the April 4 release, the protester was knocked onto the ground by a mounted Toronto Police Service officer on February 18.

The incident took place in front of the Fairmont Chateau Laurier on Rideau Street in downtown Ottawa, where police were trying to create some distance between officers and the front lines of the protesters while riding horses.

"One of the horses near the end of the unit contacted a man and the woman, knocking them to the ground," the SIU release reads.

"Police officers on foot moved in quickly to surround both the woman and the man, as protesters also moved in. The woman could be seen being assisted to her feet and standing within the line of police officers."

According to the SIU, she then attended the Montfort Hospital in Ottawa, and two days later on February 20, the Lennox & Addington County General Hospital, for shoulder pain.

"A review of the available medical records indicates that the woman did not sustain any fractures and that her injury was limited to a strained shoulder," SIU officials write.

After interviewing the protester, looking through police drone and body camera footage and reviewing her medical records, the SIU closed their investigation since she didn't sustain a serious enough injury.

The case has now been deferred to TPS "for further investigation as they deem appropriate."

Per CP24, at the time of the incident, fake reports spread online that a woman had been trampled to death by a police horse.

This article's cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.