Three horses stabbed - Stafford, VA

Saturday, Mar 6, 2004

Two horses were found stabbed at Aquia Harbour Stable. Scott's two American Paint Horses and a Kentucky Mountain Horse were stabbed inside the barn at the gated community in North Stafford.

The animal-control officer in the Stafford Sheriff's Office and the Aquia Harbour Police Department are jointly investigating. Officers are reviewing a security tape  in an effort to find who inflicted the deep stab wounds on the horses between 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Saturday, March 6, 2004. The stable was equipped with an alarm system and five security cameras.

The horses  were fine about 5:45 a.m. when the owner and her daughter put them into their stalls before leaving for a trip. They were on thirr way home that evening when they learned the horses had been attacked.

The two horses were stabbed three times. Apache, a sorrel standing 15 hands, was wounded in the face where his halter would have been if he'd been wearing it. Poka Dot Pete, a spotted brown and white horse 16 hands tall, was stabbed in the neck and shoulder.

Another owner's horse, Pretty Lady, is a palomino standing 15.3 hands. was stabbed and had suffered a deep wound midway down the neck.

Both owners contacted veterinarians. Had the neck injuries involved hit an artery they would have bled to death. 

Animal Control Officer Dennis Ottley said the perpetrator faces a minimum of three animal cruelty charges, misdemeanors carrying a maximum 12-month jail term and $2,500 fine. He is asking anyone with information to call the Sheriff's Office at 540-658-4400.

A reward of $2000.00 for the arrest and conviction of the perpetrator. People with information can e-mail her at aquiahorse@yahoo.com.

If you have information on this case, please contact:
Stafford Sheriff's Office
aquiahorse@yahoo.com
540-658-4400

References

• fredericksburg.com
• freelancestar.com

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