COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- Before his newest deputy takes office, Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott may need him to raise his right hoof.
Lott says a five-year-old horse named Scout is being sworn in Friday as the department's newest mounted patrol deputy.
Lott says Scout was sold to a family for use as a riding horse three years ago but was taken in by the Humane Society because he was not being properly cared for.
For the past year, Scout has lived with two deputies who are part of Lott's mounted patrol and search and rescue groups.
Scout has completed six months of search and rescue and crowd control training. He passed his final test on Nov. 13 and is now ready for duty.
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