The 80-year-old New York State man has a history of cross-country riding, including one trek through Madison, WI, where he was issued a summons for animmal neglect when his horses appeared underweight
PERTH AMBOY -- AN 80-year-old man was issued a summons Monday for slowing traffic on the Outerbridge Crossing, by trying to ride his horse across the bridge from Perth Amboy to Staten Island, police said.
Tod L. Mishler of Ulster Park, N.Y., was issued summonses for trespassing and impeding traffic, said Joe Pentangelo, a Port Authority Police spokesman.
In case you're wondering why there's traffic on the Outerbridge Crossing #outerbridgecrossing #traffic @NBCNews pic.twitter.com/9j8t4zMWDw
a Ryan Calvert (@calvs88) June 27, 2016
Mishler, who could not be reached for comment, is wandering horseman of sorts, who for years has been riding the dusty trails of the Interstate Highway System. folksy press release issued Aug. 1, 2011 by the Madison Police Department in Wisconsin, described an encounter with Mishler in that state, when he was issued a summons for animal neglect because an officer found his three steeds to be underweight.
"The saddle has pretty much been his home since 2002, when he rode out of Montana on one horse," the press release stated. "Since then he says he's been hoofing it from coast to coast, having increased his equine team to 3. He told officers he has no means to give his horses food or water, but said, 'God would provide.' Along the trail, or highways, he says people help him out, and that the horses occasionally are stabled."
Ulster Park is just west of the Hudson River in upstate New York, about 100 miles north of the Outerbridge Crossing.
Pentangelo said Mishler rode off into Staten Island after being issued the summonses, and it was unclear where he had come from or where he was going.
Steve Strunsky may be reached at sstrunsky@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SteveStrunsky. Find NJ.com on Facebook.