Canada police investigating shooting of 17 wild horses
Wild horses AFP FILE PHOTO
OTTAWA — Canadian federal police said Wednesday they are investigating the senseless shooting deaths of 17 wild horses that have cultural significance to a local Indigenous tribe.
The animals “had recently been shot” and were found on government lands north of Walhachin, about 65 kilometers (40 miles) from Kamloops in westernmost British Columbia province, Royal Canadian Mounted Police Corporal James Grandy said in a statement.
“They appeared to be from a herd of feral (wild) horses which frequent this area,” he said.
“The motive behind this disheartening act cannot be confirmed at this point. However, investigators will continue to collect and examine everything available.”
A forensics team, a veterinarian and an RCMP livestock investigator examined the scene in the remote region.
Public broadcaster CBC said the carcasses were strewn across two kilometers of rugged, forested lands.
According to authorities, the horses are of cultural significance to the local Skeetchestn Band. Reached by AFP, band officials declined to comment.
