Horse slain in Sonoma Co pasture; reward offered

Cross-posted from the San Francisco Chronicle at SFGate.com

WRITTEN BY WILL KANE

A 17-year-old male horse named Delta Fox was shot and killed with a high-powered rifle while he stood in a Sonoma County pasture, sheriff’s deputies said Friday.

The horse was shot as he munched on grass with several other horses in Bennett Valley near Santa Rosa at 8:30 a.m. Sunday, said Stephen Wells, executive director of the Animal Legal Defense Fund.

Delta Fox fled to his stable, where he collapsed and died, Wells said.

Sheriff’s deputies searched for the shooter with land patrols and a helicopter crew, but found no one, said Lt. Steve Brown.

The Animal Legal Defense Fund is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the shooter’s conviction, Wells said.

“Residents of Santa Rosa have a legitimate cause for concern when criminals are on the loose who could shoot a kind and gentle horse for no reason,” Wells said.

Anyone with information is asked to call sheriff’s Detective Tony King at (707) 565-2185.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/crime/article/Horse-slain-in-Sonoma-County-pasture-4023523.php#ixzz2Bp2Sqw1g