Support has come to Olds College from across Alberta and Canada as the institution comes to grips with the senseless slaying of a beloved stallion from its equine science program.
Last week, the college received another $1,500 towards its reward money for information leading to the arrest of the culprit and culprits who deliberately set up a traumatic late night setting outside the department's pens to watch a group of horses fight.
The most recent donation from Frank Gillis, of the Alberta Standardbred Horse Association, brings the total reward money to $3,500. Earlier the college put $1,000 towards the reward fund which was followed by an additional $1,000 from Pengrowth Energy Corporation.
“We have been absolutely overwhelmed by the outpour of support and offers of assistance from members of the horse industry, friends of Olds College and the local community,” said Tanya McDonald, dean of the school of agriculture. “We are immensely proud of our community coming together, despite the tragedy of the situation.”
College officials and RCMP believe the crime occurred sometime between 10 p.m. on Sept. 8 and 7:45 a.m. on Sept. 9.
Avery Thiessen, 20, a second-year student in the college's two-year equine science program, observed a group of horses – four stallions and two geldings - outside their pens in the feed alley at around 7:45 a.m. on Sept. 9. When Thiessen took a closer look she saw that the end gates to the feed alley were closed, locking the horses into the alley. She also saw that all pens, normally double secured with chains, were open.
Thiessen saw one stallion, Mac, injured with swollen, bloody legs. After putting Mac and the other stallions back in their pens Thiessen then observed another horse lying motionless in Mac's pen. The stallion was dead. Mac is still recovering from wounds to his legs.
Since the tragic incident the pens have being padlocked and a surveillance system is being considered for the area.
Meanwhile, the RCMP is continuing its investigation.
“We are making inquiries with some of the students at the college,” said Olds RCMP Cpl. Troy Byrt.
As of press time, RCMP had received no tips regarding the case.
