The killing of a feral horse west of Sundre in late February is not believed to be related in any way to a controversial free roaming horse capture program recently conducted in the region, says Sundre RCMP detachment commander Cpl. Ryan Hodge.
On Feb. 28 RCMP officers were called to an isolated location off a lease road just north of Highway 584 where the remains of a feral horse were found, he said. The location is on Crown land.
The preliminary investigation has revealed that the horse might have been killed with a firearm, he said.
“It may have been shot, but we are not sure yet because we haven't got the cause of death back,” Hodge said Thursday.
“We are waiting for the results (of a necropsy) to see what the cause of death was and what the trauma was to the horse.”
Asked if the death is tied to the provincial capture program that wrapped up March 1, he said, “There is nothing indicating that.”
Sundre RCMP, along with Sundre Fish and Wildlife officers, are continuing the investigation and are asking for public tips.
Feral horses are considered livestock under provincial legislation, making it a Criminal Code offence to shoot them.
“Of course we take it seriously,” he said.
There is no indication that the killing is in any way related to other unsolved feral horse shootings west of Sundre, he said.
“We have nothing to suggest it is tied to anything,” he said.
Anyone with information is being asked to call Sundre RCMP at 403-638-3675 or Crime Stoppers.
