DCSO: Horse fatally shot E. of Bend in apparent accident

Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies said Sunday they are investigating the apparently accidental shooting of a horse east of Bend that died of its injuries on Saturday.

The incident occurred at a property along Nelson Road near the Powell Butte Highway and Bend Airport, Sgt. Deke DeMars said.

The horse’s owner had noticed some changes in its behavior,and upon observing the injury Saturday morning called in a veterinarian.

It appeared the horse had been shot in the side two to three days earlier, DeMars said. DeMars said the type of shot was uncertain but it was believed to be a smaller-caliber, such as a .22.

“Right now, we believe it’s an accidental thing, and an isolated incident,” DeMars said, adding, “We don’t believe anyone else’s horses are in danger.”

Several people have been contacted as deputies follow up on leads to determine what happened, he said.