Horse Fatally Shot Near Silverton

The investigation has been classified as an Aggravated Animal Abuse 1, a class C felony.

Photo: Marion Co. Sheriff's Office

(SILVERTON, Ore.) - Numerous residents in the 17000 block of South Abiqua Road reported hearing the sound of a single rifle shot around 6:05pm, Monday. The initial caller reported that the shot came from an area very close to the field where a horse was grazing. The scene is about 2 miles northeast of Silverton. Marion County Deputy Chris Helbling located a horse owner on South Abiqua Road who reported his 23-year old pure-bred Arabian mare, "Miss Echo", was down in a field at the residence. Deputy Helbling and the owner approached the horse and discovered it had been shot in the left shoulder with a single round. The horse, valued at $5,000, died at the scene, several minutes later.

Many residents in the area were contacted and reported hearing the shot, but few leads were developed. It is not believed that the shooting was an errant round from a target shooter; as only a single round was fired.

The investigation has been classified as an 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.

Anyone with information about this on-going investigation is encouraged to contact the Marion County Sheriff's Office at 503.588.5032. Anonymous information can be reported on our Crime Tip line, 503.540.8079.

News Release from Marion Co. Sheriff's Office