Prized Polo Horse Shot To Death While Grazing At Ranch In Thermal

THERMAL (CBSLA.com) — Sheriff's deputies are investigating the death of a prized polo horse that was shot while grazing at a horse ranch in Thermal.

The attack was reported at 6:37 p.m. Tuesday at the Mesquite Ranch in the 58400 block of Jackson Street, sheriff's Sgt. Alan Northrup said.

Responding deputies found the horse dead with obvious signs of trauma, Northrup said, and its death was deemed suspicious. The shooting is being investigated as an animal cruelty case.

According to KESQ News Channel 3, the horse that died was a 7-year-old mare named Missy. The horse, who was just named "Best Playing Pony" at the 2015 Seattle Cup, lay in the pasture all night and was partially eaten by coyotes before ranchers found her.

Anyone with information about the shooting can call Investigator Ed Ortega at the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, Thermal Station, at (760) 863-8990.

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