Dominican military resumes mounted patrols

Santo Domingo.- StateSugar Council (CEA) director José Joaquín Domínguez on Thursday delivered horsesand mules to the Dominican Army for use in patrols of rugged terrain, such asthe border with Haiti and the national parks.

Army Commander JoseEugenio Matos received the animals from Domínguez, and thanked the CEA for itscooperation.

Matos said the horsesand mules will bolster the Army´s vigilance in areas such as Los HaitisesNational Park and others under military protection.

"We´re in thebest disposition in donating these horses to the Army so they can do their job,"Dominguez said.

The last time the Dominicanmilitary used horses and mules for patrols was in the 1990s, when the Navy deployed them throughoutthe National Park of the East to thwart illegal crossings to Puerto Rico.