American Wild Horse Campaign pledges $5,000 reward in fatal shooting of wild horse on Ochoco National Forest
(Update: FS reports no 'substantive' leads to shooter)
PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The American Wild Horse Campaign announced Thursday that it has pledged a $5,000 reward fund in hopes of bringing justice to the case of the brutal slaying of a federally protected wild horse from the Big Summit Wild Horse Territory in the Ochoco National Forest.
According to the US Forest Service, the black horse was shot twice in the gut seven to 10 days ago.
“AWHC is offering a reward to bring justice for the violent and senseless killing of a federally protected wild horse from the Ochoco National Forest,” said Suzanne Roy, executive director of the American Wild Horse Campaign. “Shooting these protected animals is a federal crime and we stand ready to assist the USFS in any way possible to hold the perpetrators accountable under the full force of the law.”
Forest Service Public Affairs Officer Kassidy Kern told NewsChannel 21 Friday that law enforcement has received no "substantive or trackable" tips or leads to whoever shot the horse.
“The Central Oregon Wild Horse Coalition has long advocated for the protection and conservation of the Ochoco Forest wild horses and is deeply disturbed by the recent slaying,” said Gayle Hunt, president and founder of the coalition. “We are profoundly grateful to the American Wild Horse Campaign for offering this reward in the pursuit of justice for this beloved wild horse.”
The reward seeks information leading to the arrest and conviction of the individual(s) responsible for killing a Big Summit wild horse who was fatally gunned down on Forest Road 22 near Walton Lake in Prineville, Oregon
Anyone with information about the incident can call the Ochoco National Forest at 541-416-6500.
Additionally, AWHC is calling for the implementation of a federal task force to investigate a concerning rise in wild horse and burro slayings.
About the American Wild Horse Campaign
The American Wild Horse Campaign (AWHC) is the nation's leading wild horse protection organization, with more than 700,000 supporters and followers nationwide. AWHC is dedicated to preserving the American wild horse and burros in viable, free-roaming herds for generations to come, as part of our national heritage.
