Reward Still Unclaimed in Shooting Deaths of Oregon Wild Horses

Reward Still Offered to Find Those Responsible for Shooting Wild Horse

Around this time last year, the Humane Society of the United States posted a reward for information to some senseless acts of animal cruelty on horses.

Today they are still offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the shooting of six wild horses in the Big Prairie Summit region of the Ochoco National Forest in Crook County, Oregon, in October of 2013.

According to the U.S. Forest Service, on or about October 13, 2013, hunters discovered two wild horses who had been shot and killed in the Big Prairie Summit region in the eastern portion of the Ochoco National Forest in central Oregon.

They also found a third horse, a juvenile, badly injured from gunshot wounds. The third horse was euthanized.

On October 18, 2013, Forest Service investigators combed the scene and found three more horses shot and killed.

The HSUS reward offer of $5,000 is in addition to $2,000 being offered by the Central Oregon Wild Horse Coalition, a nonprofit group established to protect and preserve the wild horses of central Oregon.

The shooting deaths of six wild horses in the spring of 2011 remain unsolved, despite an outstanding $4,000 reward offer.

Getting the serious attention of law enforcement, prosecutors and the community in cases involving allegations of cruelty to animals is an essential step in protecting the community.

The connection between animal cruelty and human violence is well documented.

Studies show a correlation between animal cruelty and all manner of other crimes, from narcotics and firearms violations to battery and sexual assault.

In 2013, Scott Beckstead, senior Oregon state director for The Humane Society of the United States, said, "Wild horses roaming free on our public lands are a national treasure to be cherished and protected. Shooting these majestic creatures is not only an act of depraved cruelty, but also a serious criminal offense. We applaud the U.S. Forest Service and the Crook County Sheriff for taking these crimes seriously, and for their dedication in working to bring the perpetrators to justice."

Almost a year later, there has been no arrests in the crime.

And yes, $7,000 in reward money is still out there waiting for that person who has the information the law needs in this case.

And remember, another $4,000 reward for information on the shooting deaths of six wild horses in the same area in spring 2011 also remains unclaimed.

Anyone with information about the case can call Capt. Dan Smith, of the U.S. Forest Service, at 541-383-5798, or contact the Crook County Sheriff’s Office at 541-447-6398.