Lake County, OH, Sheriff Frank Leonbruno said his officers did not intend to offend anyone when they dressed up their mounted unit horses as ghosts for Halloween. .“So, the riders thought what a great idea to have big ghosts going down the street,” Leonbruno told Fox 8 on Tuesday. .“To tell you the truth the community loved it, kids said they were great ghost horses.”.The horses were covered in white sheets, with holes cut out for their eyes, ears, and nose. They had on bright orange pumpkin lights. .Leonbruno said after photos of horses were posted on the Lake County Sheriff Office's social media accounts, they received negative comments, comparing them to the Ku Klux Klan. He decided to take the posts down. .Lake County resident Katelynn Gurbach said she was upset by the costumes. .“Is there nobody on staff that is like, ‘This is not a good idea?’” said Gurbach. .“A sheriff’s office should be out there protecting people, and if I saw that on my street, I would be terrified.”.Leonbruno stressed he does not believe his employees had ill will, and the costumes were never intended to offend anyone..“I’m sorry that perception was there,” he said.
