Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe Lock picking horse a hit online MIDLAND, Mich., Feb. 15 (UPI) -- The Michigan owners of an escape artist horse said a video of the animal's feats has been viewed more than 700,000 times on YouTube. Advertisement Sandy and Don Bonem, owners of Misty Meadow Farms in Midland, said 9-year-old Friesian horse Mariska has been nicknamed "Houdini Horse" for her ability to pick any lock they put on the door to her stall, the Saginaw News reported Friday. "She would always play with things with her mouth as a baby, and she just kind of progressed from that," Sandy Bonem said. "She doesn't like to be locked in, so she would play with each new lock until she figured it out." The couple said they made a video compilation of Mariska's lock picking and posted it to YouTube, where it has been viewed more than 700,000 times. Advertisement The couple said Mariska will escape her stall to go looking for grain, leading them to keep it chained up where she can't reach it. They said they have to take extra precautions to keep the horse safe. "When we leave the barn, she will go around and check to see if any of our safeguards are missing, and if she finds one, she gets out," she said. Man inherits $362K from dad he never knew CANBERRA, Australia, Feb. 15 (UPI) -- An out-of-work truck driver in Australia is inheriting a $362,425 estate from the father he never knew, thanks to a Supreme Court ruling. The man, identified in court papers only as AMH, was named the sole heir of his father by the court following a DNA test that proved the deceased man, a businessman and member of the ancient Rosicrusianism secret society, was his true father, the Brisbane Courier-Mail reported Friday. The court was told the man believed he had another father for 50 years until his mother, identified as Mrs. H, learned of his biological father's death and told him the truth. The deceased man's niece had attempted to dispute AMH's claims in court, but the court sided with the man after the DNA test. Advertisement Contempt charge for courtroom kiss CHATHAM, England, Feb. 15 (UPI) -- A British judge said a couple pleading guilty to robbery charges will be sentenced for contempt of court for sharing a Valentine's kiss in his courtroom. Karla Shaw, 24, who pleaded guilty to robbery and assault, and Samson Paine, 25, who pleaded guilty to attempted robbery and possessing an offensive weapon, were told they would be sentenced for contempt of court for sharing a Valentine's Day kiss while they remained in custody in Judge Charles Byers' courtroom, The Sun reported Friday. "At the end of this case they will be sentenced for contempt. I am not having it," Byers said. The pair were accused of robbing a woman of cash and cigarettes in Chatham, England, in May. They are due to be sentenced next week. Giant rabbit thumps at burglars PLYMOUTH, England, Feb. 15 (UPI) -- A woman in England says her family's pet rabbit apparently scared off a nighttime burglar. Kimberley May of Plymouth, England, said she and her family heard the rabbit, Toby, thump on the floor loudly five times in the early hours Thursday and they went downstairs a few hours later to find burglars had taken items including a WWI medal and gifts for her upcoming wedding , the Plymouth Herald reported Friday. Advertisement "We think that when the rabbit thumped it scared the burglar off and they left all the stuff they were going to take," May said. "They managed to take a laptop, an iPad and my handbag with my purse and everything in, but the worse thing was my great granddad's medal." She said Toby, a British Giant bunny who stands at 2 feet and 10 inches tall, was "traumatized" by the incident. "He's usually really friendly but he tried to go for the policeman," May said. Police are investigating the incident.
