A reward up to $5,000 for information leading to the capture of the shooter of a quarter horse is now in place.
The Humane Society of the United States has stepped up with the offer, the organization announced Friday.
Police suspect a confused hunter may have shot and killed the horse along Moulton Reservoir Road.
“This was a truly senseless act of cruelty. There is no justification for shooting such a defenseless horse and leaving him to suffer and die alone,” said Wendy Hergenraeder, Montana state director for The HSUS. “We’re thankful to the officers investigating this case and we’re hopeful our reward will bring forward anyone with information about this heinous crime."
The albino quarter horse was in its corral on the 4400 block of Moulton Reservoir Road at the time. The female horse died after a "kill shot" with a high-powered rifle struck its heart.
The horse's owner found the animal dead Sunday morning. Police suspect the shooting occurred sometime over the weekend. The animal was worth about $5,000.
Police are asking anyone who may have seen a vehicle in that area over the weekend or been hunting in the region to call Crimestoppers, 406-782-7336, with information.
The reward is offered for anyone with information leading to the arrest and conviction of the responsible party.
