Horse shot
West Valley, MT (US)Date: Apr 17, 2006
Disposition: Open
Case Images: 1 files available
Suspect(s) Unknown - We need your help!
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A West Valley horse that was apparently shot a week ago had to be put to death Wednesday after its shoulder wound didn�t respond to treatment.
Owners Chris and Wendy Nardacci said Ginger, a 14-year-old Appaloosa, favored her right front leg since they noticed the small, round hole bleeding on April 17. By that Wednesday, attempts to treat the injury with antibiotics and other remedies appeared to be unsuccessful, and the horse lay down in the pasture, unable to bear weight on the leg that supported the injured shoulder.
The mare, a gift to Nardaccis� daughters from their grandparents, was euthanized by Deer Lodge veterinarian Shane Moe.
Afterward, a closer internal examination showed that the horse�s shoulder bones were badly shattered. However, after the cursory examination, Moe said it was impossible to say for sure that the injury was caused by a bullet, because a bullet wasn�t found.
If it was caused by a gunshot, it likely came from a high-powered firearm, he said, and entered at an angle from above.
The pasture is situated on a downhill slope from North Cable Road, and the family home across the road is banked by a hillside in back.
With or without a bullet for proof, the Nardacci family feels certain that their horse was shot, probably some time April 12.
�To me, it looked like a bullet wound,� Chris Nardacci said. �Every time she�d move, the blood would pump out of there.� And even without a bullet, county animal warden Tom Williams said the incident will be investigated with a gunshot in mind.
�I think it�s a horrible thing that somebody put this horse through and this family through,� he said. �Anyone who would do this cruel of thing to an animal should be put in jail, that�s my thought.� Williams said an animal cruelty charge could bring a maximum sentence of six months in jail and a $500 fine. Other possible citations such as endangerment charges could come from the police department.
The Nardaccis say they�ll miss the horse that�s been a part of the family for the past 10 years.
�She was very loving,� Chris Nardacci said. �She loved the kids. They could do anything on her. If an adult got on her she would be a big stick-in-the-mud, but she�d go anywhere with the kids.� Anyone with information about the incident may contact the Anaconda Police Department at 563-5241. If you have information on this case, please contact:
Anaconda Police Dept
563-5241
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