"DEEPLY OFFENSIVE": Centaur community outraged after Mayor Deegan rides Centaur husband at equestrian center.

Jacksonville, FL — Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan has sparked controversy after riding her Centaur husband, Tim Deegan, at the opening ceremony of a rodeo.

Jaze Hoofman, a leader of Jacksonville's Centaur community, expressed his concerns over the stunt: "We are not horses, we are not zebras, we are not donkeys; we are not members of the equidae family, we can reproduce with humans for fuck's sake. To ride one of us at the EQUESTRIAN center is deeply offensive."

Other members of the Centaur community expressed concerns about stereotyping: "I just don't think it sets a good tone; my human coworkers already ask if they can ride me like I'm a horse, what this couple has done is make me look like I'm just being a bitch if I say 'no'" said Cynthia Gallopgowzer.

We reached out to Mayor Deegan for comment, our request was denied by her office, but her husband Tim soon reached out to us with the following statement:

"I'm sorry if our display was offensive to any of my Centaur brethren. I sometimes forget about the gaping wound our community has from centuries of being relegated to pulling plows and carriages alongside horses. But I assure you, this is not that. This is the opposite, this was a display of trust, respect, and love."

We showed the statement to Jaze Hoofman who, after reading it, kicked over a barrel of apples and stormed off.