Owner forced to clean up mess after pony poops in store

WARREN, R.I. — Police were called to a liquor store in Warren Monday night for reports of property damage, but the story is far stranger than it sounds.

The owner of the Shetland pony brought it into the store, allowed the pony to defecate on a rug and failed to properly clean up after it.

The store owner was prepared to press charges and called police. But police were able to de-escalate the incident by bringing the pony's owner, William Saviano, back to the store to clean up after the pony.

Saviano, 51, said before entering the liquor store he was at a children's pony show down the street. He said he stopped by to pick up wine on the way home.

Saviano and other store patrons were laughing before Saviano left. Saviano and the pony were caught on several of the store's 20 security cameras.

Police said Saviano has an extensive criminal history dating back to 1988. He's been charged with domestic assault, disorderly conduct, malicious destruction of property and driving under the influence of alcohol, among other things.

No charges were filed in the pony case.