The national nonprofit Animal Legal Defense Fund is offering a $5,000 reward for any information leading to the arrest of the perpetrator(s) who shot and killed a horse on Nov. 4 in Santa Rosa, Calif.
The attack took place near Bennett Valley and Annadel State Park, where several horses had been standing in a pasture. Using a high-caliber rifle, someone shot Delta Fox, a 17-year-old warmblood, at about 8:30 on Sunday morning.
“It’s just devastating,” the owner, who spoke on condition her name not be used, told Santa Rosa’s Press Democrat. “They came racing up the hill in a huge panic. One of them entered the stall and collapsed. My husband went over to see and found a hole through the horse’s flank.”
Delta Fox died soon after. A necropsy will be performed.
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The Press Democrat also reported that sheriff’s deputies, animal control officers and the sheriff’s helicopter conducted an extensive air and ground search for the shooter to no avail.
“Residents of Santa Rosa have a legitimate cause for concern when criminals are on the loose who could shoot a kind and gentle horse for no reason,” said ALDF Executive Director Stephen Wells.
Under California Penal Code § 597(a) any person convicted of maliciously and intentionally maiming or killing an animal can be imprisoned for up to three years and fined $20,000. It is at the District Attorney’s discretion whether animal cruelty is charged as a felony.
If you have information relating to the identity of the person or persons involved in the shooting, contact the Animal Legal Defense Fund at 707-795-2533, x1010.
