At least 25 horses have been found shot to death in Alpine, Arizona, and 25 other horses are currently missing from the area, according to advocates. According to advocates, the reward for information leading towards the arrest of those responsible for the grisly murders and disappearances has increased to $35,000 12 News.
The horses were found dead in the Apache–Sitgreaves National forests, which span over 2,000,000 acres across central and east Arizona. Washington Post reported.
The horses were found with bullet wounds in their faces, necks, abdomens and between their eyes, according to Metro.
“These are techniques that hunters use,”Washington Post interviewed Simone Netherlands (President of the Salt River Wild Horse Management Group). “It’s really an absolute massacre out in the forest. It’s absolutely horrible. There’s just whole families laying there together.”
Over a week has passed since the killings began. Netherlands said she believes the horses that are missing are dead as well, 12 News reported.
“This hateful massacre is incomprehensible and the killer or killers must be brought to full justice,”Metro was informed by the Netherlands
Last week, GoFundMe campaign was launched in effort to raise money for arrest information.
“This GoFundMe fundraiser is for the public to be able to ADD to the current reward of $25,000 offered/pledged by 3 organizations (AWHC, Animal Wellness Action Group & SRWHMG). The reward is for the “tip” that leads to the arrest and conviction of the Apline serial wild horse killer(s),”You can read the GoFundMe Page.
After horses were first found dead on Oct. 7, the Alpine and Springerville Ranger Districts of the U.S. Forest Service announced they were investigating the horse killings. However, local activists such as Netherlands remain concerned about the future for the herds in this area.
The Wild Horses and Burro Act of 1972 protects wild horses. Federal and state laws do not protect horses deemed feral. The question of whether horses should be considered wild or feral has been an ongoing debate.