Page last updated at 02:22 GMT, Monday, 24 March 2008

Hospital bridles at horse in lift

A horse (generic image)
The hospital's policy is to inspect all animals brought by visitors

A hospital in Hawaii has restated its rules on pets after a man took a horse up in a lift in a bid to cheer up a sick relative with his favourite steed.

Man and beast were stopped by security guards only after reaching the third floor, after apparently passing through the lobby unchallenged.

The patient was allowed to see them but it turned out to be the wrong horse.

A hospital spokeswoman said there was a visitation policy for dogs and cats, but not for horses.

"We just hope people understand this is not a place for a horse," said Lani Yukimura at Wilcox Memorial Hospital.

"It's a very dangerous thing. Our greatest concern is patient care."

Security managed to remove the visitor and the horse with "just a few scuff marks", she added.

According to the Star Bulletin newspaper, the man had arrived after staff at the front desk went home, and called from the lobby to announce his arrival.

After he and the horse were escorted out, he put the animal in a trailer in the car park and left, the paper adds.

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