On Feb 25, 2019, unknown suspects shot a one-eyed horse in the chest with a BB gun at close range, pursued the animal into the pasture and shot him three more times in the hind quarters as he ran away. Authorities were notified. One woman offered a $1000 reward for the capture of the perpetrators.   To my knowledge, there hass been no arrest of the person or people who committed this crime.

Animal cruelty not only causes pain and suffering to animals and to those who care for them, it is “ . . . one of the earliest ‘red flag” warning signs of concurrent or future violent acts.” 

http://nationallinkcoalition.org/what-is-the-link

“Abusers and impressionable children who witness or perpetrate abuse become desensitized to violence and the ability to empathize with victims. Abuse is often cyclical and inter-generational. The earlier professionals can intervene to break the cycles of violence, the higher the rate of success.”

http://nationallinkcoalition.org/what-is-the-link

The shooting of the horse on Feb. 25 MUST be taken seriously by the law enforcement officers, the citizens of Jefferson County, parents, and neighbors. Consider this:

“The FBI has identified cruelty to animals as a warning sign of more violence to come, and many school shooters and serial killers have a history of abusing animals…A 2013 study of school massacres in particular, found that 43% of the perpetrators committed animal cruelty prior to the event…And yet some parents, neighbors and classmates simply dismiss these violent acts.”

https://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/animal-abuse-scrutiny-stop-killers-nikolas-cruz-article-1.3826671

Please come forward if you have any information on the person or persons who shot this horse.  You may be giving the information that will result in intervention to help the perpetrators break the cycle of abuse.

Jamie Reudink
PORT TOWNSEND