$8,000 reward offered for information on Salt River horse shooting

PHOENIX - Maricopa County Sheriff's deputies are still trying to figure out who shot and killed a Salt River horse last week.

The 12-year-old mare named "Dotty" was found last week near Coon Bluff.

Per officials a necropsy was performed by a veterinarian, which showed that "the horse was killed by gunshot, and prior to that had been healthy, showing no signs that someone would have to put down the animal."

There is an $8,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction of the shooter or shooters involved. Three donors put up the funds: $5,000 from the International Society of the Protection of Mustangs and Burros, $1,000 from the Schill Law Group and the Salt River Wild Horse Management Group added $2,000.

"This issue is important to a number of people in our community," said Sheriff Arpaio, "This reward money could go a long way in solving the case. We will follow every lead, make every effort to find the suspect and bring justice to Dotty's death."

Arizona State Representative Kelly Townsend stated, "There is no other animal that optimizes the idea of pure freedom more than the wild horse. They are sovereign unto themselves, and have enjoyed that freedom long before Arizona became a State. Shooting one of our beloved icons, whether it was with malicious intent or a perceived mercy killing, was an illegal act and that person(s) must be brought to justice. I firmly believe that someone knows who the shooter is, and it is my hope that this reward money will be incentive enough for them to come forward."

If you have any information about this case, call the MCSO Animal Cruelty hotline at 602-876-1681.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.