Posts Tagged ‘Death’

Bureau of Land Management logo

Bureau of Land Management logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Information supplied by the HORSE via an edited Press Release

“The exact cause of the problem remains unknown…”

he Bureau of Land Management (BLM) continues to investigate the deaths of 19 wild horses at its Cañon City Wild Horse Inmate Program facility.

To date, 19 horses have died and 9 other horses have shown some signs of a neurologic problem causing weakness, incoordination (ataxia), or seizures. No animals have died since Dec. 4 and no new cases have been reported since Dec. 5.

Several horses that exhibited symptoms earlier in the week have shown marked improvement and now appear to be recovering. With just over 2,000 horses and 400 burros at the facility, the illness remains confined to just one pen containing 110 horses.

Although the exact cause of the problem remains unknown, the BLM is still working with local, state and federal veterinarians as well as pathologists at Colorado State University to diagnose the illness. Six animals have been necropsied, but so far, the general results of those examinations have been inconclusive. Samples taken from animals at the facility and from those animals autopsied are still being examined.

The pattern of the cases so far suggests it is not an infectious or contagious disease, but that possibility along with the possibility that weeds or other toxins could have been accidently ingested along with hay are being investigated. Laboratory testing is expected to continue through next week when the BLM and animal health officials will revisit the situation and decide the best course of action to protect the health and well-being of the wild horses and burros.

The BLM will release additional information as it becomes available.

Transcribed from CD by Vicki Frielberger, the “Good Neighbor

In early November of 2011 a three person Parole Board, in rural Nebraska, met with convicted Wild Horse Killer, Jason Meduna, and discussed setting him free; very, very early.  If you are not familiar with this convicted animal abuser and his heinous crimes please click (HERE) as the record is long and to retell the gory details is beyond me at this point.  But his former neighbor, the one who was forced to bear his abuse and accused of poisoning his horses as he let them die of starvation and no water, took the time to order the CD of his hearing and transcribe it for your review.  We offer no commentary, at this point, but simply the recorded conversation that went back and forth between four individuals who, obviously, have no love for the gift of life and the beauty of equines but instead only see the narrow-minded path that best serves their individual needs.  May God have mercy on their souls.” ~ R.T.

Allegedly Lying through his Teeth, Jason Meduna Walks Free

 

Meduna's Mustang Killing Fields a Year after Conviction - photo by Vicki Freilberger

Jason Meduna’s Parole Hearing on CD

Jason, “Howdy.”

Woman (Casmer?), “Hi.”

Pearson, “Remain standing there.  Raise your right hand.  Do you swear, or affirm, to tell the truth in these proceedings?”

Jason, “Yes.”

Pearson, “Have a seat.   State your name and institutional number.”

Jason, “Ah, Jason C. Meduna.  71105.”

Pearson, “You’re on a Morrill County, Cruelty, neglect, animal number 125 counts, 20 to 60 months each count concurrent.  2nd count; Cruelty Neglect Animal, thirteen counts, 20 to 60 months each count consecutive, consecutive.  First incarceration, you were reviewed on said on 2-9-2011, to this October 2011 hearing with support for work release know as conduct, follow staff recommendations.  Bidding(?) at that review was a 5-0 vote.  If you are paroled, your mandatory discharge in not until 2-20-2015.  Now the state of Wyoming has requested under Interstate Contact, to investigate on September 23rd, 2011.  We have not received acceptance from the state of Wyoming, so if you are paroled today, it will be pending acceptance from the State of Wyoming.    Your residence is 6856 Road 27, Lingle, Wyoming?  Is that correct?”

Mud, “Yes.”

Pearson, “And your employment is yourself, ranch owner; at the same address, 6856 Road 27, Lingle, Wyoming?”

Mud, “Yes.”

Pearson, “Are you currently under RFD?”

Mud, “Yes.”

Pearson, “And where have you been during that RFD?”

Mud, “Um, in Lincoln, um, on 914 South 18 Street.”

Pearson, “OK.  OK.  We are….well, special conditions at this point, on the parole certification are waiving the Nebraska program fees.  Now we are required to um, notify the officials of this public hearing today.  And, Jason, we have got one hundred and forty-four emails and letters, um, opposition to you being paroled.  A hundred and forty-four.  I’ve been on this board sixteen years, and I have never seen that amount of opposition.  Now we do have, at least one letter of support here; I don’t know….are there other letters of support?

Woman, “I don’t know.”

Pearson, “All the rest were oppositions.  There’s a lot of people in that area of the state that do NOT want you paroled, based on this crime.  Do you understand that?”

Mud, “Yes I do.”

Pearson, “You understand the seriousness of this?”

Mud, “Yes I do.”

Pearson, “We’ve gotten copies of pictures, um, I don’t think we’ve ever received as much as we have seen in the last several days that have filtered in.  Now I’ve got a question before we go any further.  As far as yourself, do you own the ranch in?

Mud, “Yes.”

Pearson,   “Lingle?”

Mud, “Yes.”

Pearson, “And are you going to be having livestock?”

Mud,  “No., I’m going to um, run, um, I’m with a Lumber mill from Chadron, um rough cut lumber.   And then I’m going to lease the ground out.  It’s all…. it can be turned in to wheat ground.  It’s just a small piece of property.

Pearson, “It’s been awhile since we’ve seen you, um, or that I have talked to you.  If I recall, in one of the reviews, you had indicated that, you felt, somebody had put some poison in the water pond that your horses were drinking out of?”

Mud, “The, the water, you know, had been tested, uh positive for arson by DEQ, yes.”

Pearson, “Why would anybody do that?”

Mud, “I’m not saying that anybody did that.  It could be, you know, like DEQ said, that it possible could be…um, naturally occurring, um on there.  I made a lot of mistakes on how to handle the situation, um, there was a, um, um, you know, I’m at fault for not dealing with the correct people on …a lot of that…on this situation that had happened up there. I’ve had opportunities to see that I’ve been very naïve in a lot of areas, um, arrogant in a lot of areas too. Um, as far as the way I’ve done things, the way I have… you know, perceived the world, so to speak. Um, times are different than what, what they were.

Pearson, “So actually, how many a horses died as a result of this?”

Mud, “Twenty-two, died.”

Pearson, “Twenty-two horses.

Mud, “Yea, I never, there was never a, a, a qualm about the number horses.  I did send hair samples out to New Bolton Labs, um, and blood samples also out there, um, trying to decide, you know, decifer what was causing…. the symptoms; I was unfamiliar with.

Pearson, “OK, I’m going to continue here.  Um, have you read and understand the conditions of parole?

Mud, “Yes, I have.”

Pearson, “the pamphlet?  Actually, with that number of emails and letters that came in, I’m surprised somebody wasn’t here in person, um.   OK – you did complete non-residential education on 7-6-2010; no other programming was recommended; you did make a satisfactory adjustment here at CCCL; you’re in compliance with your personalized plan; you’ve been quiet and cooperative; 7-29 of 2011  placed in the RFD Program; uh, you’ve had above average work report; you do have a degree, Associate Degree in Applied Science?  Is that correct?

Mud, “Applied Science?  Um, actually, it’s Auto Body, in welding.

Pearson, “This says, ‘an Associate Degree in Applied Science’.

Mud, “Well…that must be a miss….not correct.”

Pearson, “And the team here, however, is supporting parole.  Miss Casper, any questions?”

Casmer, “Jason, I supported you through this hearing, and I will continue to support you.  I ……feel what you did was wrong.  You handled it wrong, which, the information that came forth, was a very well orchestrated blog situation.  I received emails from France, in French.  I received emails from all over, with the same letter; so it’s obvious to me; it was a well orchestrated blog.  Are you familiar with blogs?

Mud, “Yes.”

Casmer, “It’s done by…OK.  That’s what it appears.  Uh, very few letters were original.  Very few.  But it was the same message, coming from all over the United States and overseas. Um, it’s obvious you have irritated a lot of people because of the death of these animals.  I, for one, am not pleased with what happened, but….I will support you.  I hope; an and I’m glad Mr. Pearson answered the questions that you will not be responsible for any livestock or anything like that.

Mud, “Yes.”

Casmer, “So, at this point in time, um, you are, you will be on paper until February 20, 2015.  Uh, if something goes wrong, you know you will be looking at us.  I have nothing further.”

Man, “Miss Cotton.”

Cotton, “Well Jason, I have some notes.  I didn’t ask you any questions at the um, at your brief, it was at that particular time, your case was coming to appeal.  You have until 2015.   Are you still trying to prove this case?”

Mud, “No.  It’s not that, I mean, we went through….No  No.”

Cotton, “

Mud, “No, no. It, it, sorry – it –no.

Cotton, “Well, I agree with Miss Casper.  I will support you today as well.  I wish you well.”

Pearson, “Well, I gotta agree with my colleagues, uh, you know the value of animals in the animal rights people get very upset with situations like this.  And being born and raised on a farm myself; you, you grow to appreciate the animal world, so to speak.  And I believe that they have to be taken care of carefully….and….they need to be fed properly.  And uh, what happened here, regardless what the consequences, or what brought it to this point, uh, just…is a tragedy.  It really is.  I’m going to continue to support you also, but I would highly recommend that… you probably stay away from Morrill County.  Um, I don’t think you’d probably be too welcome back in that area; although, as Ms Casper said, a lot of these emails are the same, and they came from all over the country.  An organized effort to, pile up the papers, so to speak; and probably convince us you need to stay here till 2015, but a, if you ever become involved in caring for livestock, animals, horses, whatever…take care of ‘em.  Feed ‘em properly.  And uh, that’s about all I can say.  Is there any need for executive session?

Hearing on the motion of Jason C. Meduna, Number 71105; that he be paroled, pending verification and acceptance from the State of Wyoming; in to the conditions of the parole certificate as previously stated.

Casmer?  “Second.”

Casmer?  “You got caught in the middle of a land dispute too, didn’t you?”

Court Reporter?  “Mr. Pearson voting Yes, Ms Casmer voting Yes, Ms Cotton voting Yes.”

Pearson, “OK, keep in mind you’re on parole until 2-20-2015.  When Wyoming accepts your parole plan, you should be on your way.  Um, one more question, did you own your own property out in Morrill County at that time?..

Meduna, “Yes.”

Pearson, “Who owns that now?  Did you sell it? Or…”

Mud, “Yes, the people that started this are grazing 450 head of cow calf pairs on that particular ranch, right now, as we speak.”

Casmer, “That was the piece of land that they were trying to get to begin with.”

Mud, “Yes.”

Casmer, “Uh-huh.”

Mud, “yes.”

Casmer, “WOW”

Mud, “I lost a lot over this,”

Pearson, “Yah’ …you did.”

Casmer, “But they said….now, they’ve got cattle grazing on there?

They said that the land had been over-grazed and would take 5 years for the…”

Mud, “they said 20 years.  They said it was a barren waste land, it would take 20 years , going by your blogs, if you check out their blogs, and the dates of the blog, within months after this, they already moved their cattle on there to graze.

Casper, “Hum …wow.  I’m sorry you got caught in the middle of that.”

Pearson, “OK, good luck to you.”

Mud, “Thank you.  Thank you very much.”

Man 2 (?), “In listening back there, I thought the spring was poisoned?”

Casmer, “That’s what he said.”

Mud, “I got DEQ reports to show, that there’s arsenic in that water, yes.

Yes, um, it’s … I’ve never seen anything like it, but I mean, I mean, off the record, I’ve learned a lot.”  (snickers)

Casmer, “I’m sure you have.”

Mud, “From all this. I have, and I honestly can say that I’ve met, I mean, I try to make a positive out of everything.  I’ve met extraordinary people; you know, during the last couple of years.  You know I mean, I’ve seen a lot of, maybe not the good stuff, but I’ve also met a lot of extraordinary people, so I’m still not, without, I guess so to speak, you know, and I’m a hard worker so I can always build up again.”

Pearson, ‘Do you have family in Wyoming there too, or not?”

Mud, “No.”

Pearson, “No?”

Mud, “No, I’ve got to make a fresh start.”

Casper, “Good luck to you.”

Mud, “Thank you.”

Pearson, “Take care.”

 

Information supplied by Vicki Freiberger and KNEB FM

Compassionate Animal Welfare Advocates Hope for No Parole

Jason Meduna guilty of starving and killing dozens of wild horses and burros

A Morrill County, Nebraska rancher convicted of letting more than 200 wild horses and burros starve is scheduled for a parole hearing Wednesday at the Lincoln Community Corrections Center. 44-year-old Jason Meduna was convicted in January of last year of 145 counts of cruel neglect of an animal resulting in injury, illness or death.

Meduna was ordered to serve 40 months to 10 years in prison by District Court Judge Leo Dobrovolny, who also stated that Meduna could not reside with any animals for 30 years.

The starving horses were discovered on Meduna’s Three-Strikes Ranch south of Alliance in April, 2009. Law enforcement removed the ailing animals from the ranch and transported them to the Morrill County Fairgrounds in Bridgeport. Over 30 animals were found dead at the ranch.

Intro/Commentary by R.T. Fitch      Story and Photography by Vicki Frieberger

First Published on SFTHH in May of 2010

It’s now been a year since the seizure at convicted wild horse abuser, Jason Meduna’s 3-Strikes Ranch.

Many thoughts come into play when we think of the events one year ago as so many stories were written, so much was lost and new hope, for a few, was born again.  Each of us remembers with shock and horror when Habitat for Horses President, Jerry Finch, took the lead  and with the help of the local Sheriff seized the 200+ starving survivors on April 22nd, 2009.  I, personally, felt the shock and the outrage from the wanton neglect that led to the slow death of dozens of wild horses and I equally shook with fear at the realization that we now were responsible for 200 additional horses and how would we cope.  But these are separate stories, ones to be told when the time is right.

Instead, today, we would like to share with you the story of an individual and family that knew of the trouble, first, that were witness to the brutality and had to live next door to the evil that is Jason Meduna and his wife.

Long before the good folks on the ABR forum urged Jerry Finch to go and investigate 3-Strikes, this “Good Neighbor” was blowing the whistle on Meduna but no one was listening.  Through pictures and personal testimony she attempted to get the proper authorities to listen yet her laments fell upon deaf ears.  And then when all was said and done the corrupt and disgusting Meduna, along with his buddy Ray Fields, pointed fingers at her and her friends claiming that the good neighbors were at fault.  When that lie failed to gain traction Fields went down a demented path that some strange sickness possessed the horses and still the property next to the good neighbor was littered with bones and bodies, never cleaned up by  Meduna and his twisted spouse. 

Today we share with you the anniversary perspective from the woman who suffered long before any of us were aware of Meduna and who continues to suffer, today, from witnessing the evil that walked on two legs and killed wild horses as a hobby and pastime. Her name is Vicki Freiberger and this is her story, in her words and through her eyes. 

We bless her for bearing witness. ~ R.T.

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The Anniversary of

the Death of 3 Strikes Ranch

There is a lot of discussion happening

about what should the actual date be

which would mark the anniversary of the

saving of the horses that remained

in the hands of Jason Meduna,

or you could call it the

end of 3 Strikes Mustang Ranch.

It would seem natural that the date would be when

the last surviving horse was removed from the hell hole

that engulfed so many others; a final count that will

never be known for sure as to how many perished.

We will never know how many innocent babies died,

out in those sand dunes of Nebraska.

The land so abused, as abused as the horses;

in the care of Meduna and his wife.

For myself, the first anniversary was March 6 of 2010.

I started taking pictures long before that day of March 6, 2009,

but it was that Friday afternoon that he walked

out of the trailer, and noticed me on my 4-wheeler.

It was Friday, March 6, that he saw me taking pictures.

*

It was that afternoon:

he knew that I knew.

*

This picture was taken Saturday, April 10, 2010

 It is already different from when I first saw it earlier. My mom stands in the background. That day Mom, Dad, and I went to the bone pile. They had never seen it; in person. As we crested the hill and the bones were in their view for the first time, there was a little gasp. My dad said, “That’s not right.” My mom said, “Oh my God.” It is hard to imagine someone just dragging a bunch of horses to a pile and leaving them to rot. It’s hard to imagine until you stand at the pile, and those bones become bodies of helpless, loving and innocent horses. Horses of all ages. A baby laying by it’s mom in bones over the hill. A sight that those who were out there could have seen, if they just could have been allowed off the trail, because the trail was so close. Many would have driven right by this pile….they did not hear the cries of the horses. They did not listen. They listened to Jason. Now, people are listening. The horses and burros will always be remembered. Time will go on, more horses will have unimaginable endings somewhere else, but some horses will be saved…. By loving, unselfish people who do what they do, because they are called? or because they just know they are needed. So in their compassion they reach out and give all they can to help. They do this time and time again. The strength they have is something I cannot imagine; but it is something I could only hope to be blessed with. Thank you Mom and Dad for all you helped me with during this whole entire ordeal. And thank all the people who had anything to do with the saving of these wonderful animals.

 One of my favorite songs, “Bless the Beasts and the Children”…I think I’ll go sit down at my piano now. I haven’t played this in ages. I imagine I’ll have a whole new perspective on the song.

 

Visit Vicki’s touching and heart rending blog by clicking (HERE)

Copyrighted Photographs reproduced with Permission, not for redistribution.

 

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Eyewitness report by Laura Leigh, VP of Wild Horse Freedom Federation

Day Four of Bloody BLM Triple B Stampede

This is the last video that will be posted for a bit. Editing video takes an incredible amount of time. I will go back to archiving the video in case the documentation is required and posting still images. But I think this series of three days gives you an idea how frustrating this is. It will not give you a clear picture of the wear and tear on your vehicle, the damage done to your equipment or the toll it takes on your face.

Day 4 began at holding and the lame excuses about the medical treatment of these foals (that were now euthanized) set the tone. Sometimes my hands will shake from the stupidity. It is like being a teacher in Kindergarten… but the Kindergartners make the rules.

Yes, the tone of this report is terse. But being with this contractor every day but two during Antelope, and now watching this at Triple B, is like chewing on tin foil.

I am usually very patient and quiet. I do my observations and reports.This time I am trying very hard not to allow the frustration to drive me.

On another front there may be some good news soon, but that will have to wait for another day. So pray that sanity can begin to take root somewhere.

Day 4 brought with it frustration after frustration.

It began with the excuses about water and food, with no indication that anything would change. It continued with the absurd assertions about the injured foals.

At the trap the radio was again left so I could not hear anything until one time Heather Emmons left it loud enough that I could pick up a call. It was the pilot asking Alan Shepherd to glass a horse that could not keep up. I was given no further information as to the age or reason the horse could not keep up… and of course I was held to a position that did not allow me any observation.

The horses the pilot drove into the trap came in two groups.

Then 4 runners went out and the pilot. The pilot asked Shepherd the location and was told it should be “right under you.” It was apparently a bush.

I asked if I could go to the rise and look. I said that all eyes should be utilized. I was not granted permission, nor was it denied. I stayed behind the tape. It is my belief that this agency attempts to push the limits of control until we are tempted to break them… only to utilize the unreasonable restraints against us.

After almost an hour of no information, BLM personnel reading newspapers, I asked to go give my dog water and check on him. That permission was granted. I hung out in the vehicle with the dog, as it is much cooler there. I saw two runners beating it back to the trap so I went back to the observation area only to find out that the runners were coming back… not because they had found anything… but because the pilot was driving horses to the trap.

Shepherd had given the authorization for resources to abandon the search and begin operations. The other two runners also returned to the trap. I expressed my outrage in no uncertain terms. I informed personnel that I had called people from my vehicle and the public knew they had stopped looking. I informed them I was not leaving until the horse was located.

After the drive Heather was called down to speak with Alan.

Miraculously the horse that had now been missing for over an hour and a half had been found. It had “run back home” and hooked up with a stud. A trailer went down the road and in less than ten minutes came back… with a load that looked much like it did when it left.

As I am not permitted to travel the same road as the trailer it would take me about an hour longer to reach holding. I would not see this animal unload.

The animal was allegedly a 4 month old that was so deformed it couldn’t run correctly and was euthanized. The same animal that ran almost to the trap and back again… I can not confirm that there was an animal even picked up off that range.

Have you pulled out all your hair yet? Have you gritted your teeth so badly that you have broken molars? Have you bitten your lip so hard it bleeds? Have you vowed to god you will not allow this “spoiled child agency” to continue without challenge… no matter what it takes?

If you can help me with expenses please donate to http://wildhorseeducation.org

Report from Laura Leigh ~ VP of Wild Horse Freedom Federation

The Injured Babies in this Report were later Killed by the BLM

At the roundup we had runners go off with no explanation. We had a baby come in that I could see was injured.

So I added an extra two hours of driving to my day and headed to holding.

There I saw three youngsters treated for injury. I do not know how many were treated prior to my arrival. (note: it is interesting that I asked about the injuries and am only given information on the treatment I actually saw, with no other information offered. It always seems like “If they don’t see it, it didn’t happen”).

A big bay stud and his band have really hit me hard. He was in the last group (or at least the last group I knew of). One of his foals (the only one that came in with his band) was injured. They put his mare and injured foal in the pen next to him. He kept all the other horses from the fence line. He called to them non-stop while I was there. He was there at the fence line when I arrived in the morning. I was pretty upset by some comments Alan Shepherd made so I got a few quick takes and did not get one of his calls as they began to load that am.

I quickly headed to the roundup site instead as the day before they had already captured 40 horses before my arrival. Leaving holding early didn’t change anything, they still had about 40 prior to my arrival on Day 4. Keep in mind we leave our “meeting” spot at 4:30 am, that’s how much driving is involved.

The comments from Shepherd that were so distressing go like this:  ”The palomino foal had weak tendons. The little chestnut has a bad mom. The other foal that was treated has a laceration to a leg, but it’s pre-existing. The animals drain the water and it needs to be refilled a couple times.”

Did that hit you like it hit me from the State Lead for Nevada’s Wild Horse and Burro program, Alan Shepherd? Did that hit you like it hit me from the man that constantly blames the animal for it’s situation? (Old Mare at Antelope) Did that hit you like it hit me from the man that took part in several “Final solution” conversations for our wild horses? (2009 Article animal Law Coalition) Did that hit you like it hit me from the man that answered in Federal Court that there were “no fences, no cows, no water” in the Owyhee HMA? (Gorey’s explanation to Horseback)

At the Antelope Complex Roundup this past winter there was the exact same situation with this contractor, Sun-J (it is a pattern). When I pointed out the deficiency Ben Noyes, the WH&B specialist in Ely, simply grabbed more tubs for water and placed them in the pens. He directed the contractor to appropriately distribute feed. He made no excuse.

Perhaps a man like Ben Noyes, that is able to admit a deficit and comprehends that the equation for the amount of horses translates into water consumption, should be the state lead and Mr. Shepherd should go muck at the Burns Corral until he comprehends what horses are?

I was told the runners went out to get the two injured foals. We already know that is also not the truth.

This IS foaling season. ALL foals have weak legs, that is why you don’t run a foal. It IS over 90 degrees during the day and horses need water. The fact that this conversation has to occur at all with an agency tasked for the last 40 YEARS with the humane treatment and management of our wild herds is OBSCENE.

note: and the more I review my tapes the more I believe that the roan is NOT that little chestnuts mom. The chestnut mare at the trap is most likely his mom. They even look alike. A bay dad and a roan mom will most likely not produce a chestnut baby. That baby was leaning against ANY family member he could because he could NOT stand. I’ll bet that’s why she was so agitated. I wonder where her baby is? I wonder so much about the ability to actually OBSERVE and not just process inventory in this agency. I need to see that chestnut foal.

Story by Kim Tobin and Barney Lerten, KTVZ.COM

Human Cruelty Knows No Bounds

CLICK image to view video and comment

PRINEVILLE, Ore. — Authorities said Thursday they are looking for tips from the public in hopes of finding whoever shot and killed three wild horses east of Prineville – one of which was pregnant and accompanied by her year-old foal, which was found unhurt.

Crook County sheriff’s Deputy Brian Bottoms made the grisly discovery around 2 p.m. Monday while on patrol in the Ochoco National Forest about 18 miles east of Prineville, said Det Sgt. Travis Jurgens.

“It was definitely an intentional shooting of the three horses,” said Jurgens. “We have undetermined number of rounds that were fired at this point.”

Bottoms found the dead horse along a spur road off Forest Road 150 in the Douthit Creek drainage, near the Ochoco Ranger Station, Jurgens said. Further investigation led to the two others, for a total of two stallions and a mare.

The mare appears to have been pregnant and had a foal about 1 years old with her at the time, nudging her, trying to get her back on her feet when the deputy arrived, Jurgens said. The foal was unhurt but left abandoned by the mare’s death.“It was determined that all three horses had been shot and killed with a firearm for no apparent reason,” Jurgens said, adding that Bottoms was able to obtain evidence by having come upon the “fairly recent” shooting scene.

Anyone with information was asked to contact the sheriff’s office at (541) 447-6398 or contact the Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 1-877-876-TIPS. You can remain anonymous and you may be eligible for a cash reward.

As a member of the Central Oregon Wild Horse Coalition, Krista Lee hung posters around Prineville, asking for the public’s help in finding whoever shot the horses..

“I think that it’s just very shocking,” said Lee. “There are so many people that love and care about these horses — it’s like having someone come into your own home and kill a family member.”

What makes Lee even angrier is that this is not the first time an attack like this has happened. Since 2002, Lee said there have been similar attacks in the area.

“Anywhere from one to three horses being killed per time,” said Lee. “And they’re still doing it.”

Lee said she and members of the coalition are working hard to get the word out to the public, in hope of finding whoever is responsible for hurting the innocent animals.

“If there’s a horse you want to ride to Hell and back on, these are the horses you want to do it with,” said Lee. “So to remove them or harm them is beyond possible thinking.”

The Central Oregon Wild Horse Coalition also was offering a reward of $1,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever shot and mutilated the horses.