Why don't police clean up after their horses?

They're large, beautiful animals that patrol the streets of Toronto — but sometimes they make quite a mess.

Most people in the city stop and admire the police horses as they wander along the streets and through the parks. But sometimes what the horses naturally leave behind can be a little messy.

Unlike dog owners, horse owners are not obligated pick up behind them.

For the canine owners not picking up after their pet could result in a fine.

But for Casey Mella there's also the peer pressure.

"I think it's more about worrying what your neighbour will say to you if you don't pick it up. I think its more the shame than the fine," she said.

It means that when she takes her dog for a walk, she's packing a lot of plastic.

"I just went through two [plastic bags], and we got two more."

The force has 30 horses, housed at the mounted unit headquarters at the CNE.

Although they're serving members of the force — they can leave quite a mess.

But why is horse manure different? Why don't police have to stoop and scoop like everyone else?

Sgt. Kristopher McCarthy, of the mounted unit, says that unlike dogs horse droppings have no harmful bacteria.

"The difference between dogs and horses is that dogs eat meat and horses do not eat meat," McCarthy said.

"Within two to three days manure will just dry out and blow away, very similar to clippings of grass."

Cities like Chicago force horses to wear a diaper and that's an idea many dog owners think could work here.

"I ride my bike. And ride my bike through it, and my bike smells," said Mellan.

But if people are really offended by the droppings, McCarthy says one of the officers from the mounted unit will just go and clean it up — no problem.

"One of the officers will just go down — take one of the trucks down — and we'll go down with a bucket and shovel," he said.