Humane Society Offers Reward in Oregon Horse Shootings

The Humane Society of the United States
Friday, 15 February 2002

The Humane Society of the United States is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the shooting deaths of two wild horses in Ochoco National Forest. The Ochoco National Forest is also offering $1,000, bringing the total reward to $2,000.

The severely scavenged bodies of the two horses, a stallion and an 8-month-old foal, were discovered on January 24 on private land near Duncan Creek on Highway 123 west of the Ochoco Ranger Station. Officials are not commenting on the type of firearm used or how many times the horses were shot.

"This wanton act of cruelty is very disturbing," said Kelly Peterson, HSUS Pacific Northwest Regional Office program coordinator for Oregon. "Individuals who engage in animal cruelty rarely do so on a one-time basis. In addition, studies have found a connection between animal abuse and violence against humans. That means that until the person is caught, he or she poses a potential threat to other animals and people." The HSUS Pacific Northwest Regional Office serves the states of Washington and Oregon.

Killing or harassing a wild horse violates the federal Roaming Horses and Burro Act of 1971 and is punishable by up to a year in prison and a maximum fine of $2,000.

The HSUS First Strike Campaign® raises public awareness and educates communities about the connection between animal abuse and violence towards people while providing a variety of resources to law enforcement agencies, social work professionals, educators, legislators and families. The HSUS also offers rewards for animal cruelty cases across the country and works to strengthen laws against animal cruelty, to make the world safer for people and animals alike.

The U.S. Forest Service, Law Enforcement and Investigations unit is vigorously pursuing this case with assistance from the Oregon State Police. "We have received several calls from the public offering support and information," stated Ron Pugh, the Forest Service special agent investigating this case.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to please contact U.S. Forest Service Special Agent Ron Pugh at 541-383-5510 or Oregon State Police trooper Amos Madison at 541-419-1654 or 541-447-1341.

For more information, or to contact The Humane Society of the United States, see their website at: www.hsus.org