PORTLAND Police are trying to find the person who shot and killed a horse grazing in a field near Silverton Monday night.
You don't want this in your neighborhood, said Randy Dudley.
Several area residents reported hearing a single gunshot just after 6 p.m., in the 17000-block of South Abiqua Road, about 2 miles northeast of Silverton.
Iknew it was a weapon because I have heard them many times before, said Laurence Stephens.
The horse, a 23-year old pure-bred Arabian mare, named Miss Echo, died several minutes later, according to Marion County Deputy Chris Helbling.
The horse, valued at $5,000, had been shot in the left shoulder with a single round.
Helbling said he does not think the shooting was an errant round from a target shooter since only a single round was fired.
If caught, the shooter will be charged with aggravated animal abuse 1, a class C felony. A conviction on this crime would result in a jail sentence and a fine of up to $10,000.
Ihate to see this area with dangerous people, said Cristine Stephens.
Anyone with information that could help investigators was urged to contact the Marion County Sheriff's Office at 503.588.5032 or the anonymous Crime Tip line at 503.540.8079.
