Horse mutilated in Long Prairie
by Karin L. Nauber
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| Katie Smyalla with her beloved horse Savannah and Savannah's foal. -submitted photo |
Katie Smyalla, age 11, is smiling again.
She hasn't had much to smile about in the past week since she and her family returned home last Saturday, November 3 and found Katie's beloved Palomino Shetland pony, Savannah, dead and mutilated in a pasture on their property outside of Long Prairie.
According to the Todd County Sheriff's Office the horse was discovered at the Russell and Veronica Monti (Katie's family) residence of rural Long Prairie.
According to Veronica, Katie's mom, the family veterinarian examined the horse and found it drained of blood and mutilated on the face.
Veterinarian Dr. Charles Moberg said that it "appeared someone had used a sharp instrument to remove all of the soft tissue on the left side of the head, including the eye, lip, nostril and ear flap."
"Its face was skinned to the bone," said Veronica.
This past Saturday, November 10, Katie was gifted a new eight month old pony.
"At least she's smiling now," said Veronica.
Katie had her horse Savannah for the past five years. The horse had come from a bad situation and they really had to baby the horse, said Veronica.
"Savannah was the perfect size for Katie and she would let her do whatever she wanted," added Veronica.
The Humane Society of the United States has put up a $2500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone associated with the death and mutilation of the family pony.
On Friday, November 9, Todd County Sheriff Peter Mikkelson said that after doing some research and questioning on this type of mutilation, he is under the belief that the mutilation may have been done by a predator of some sort.
"We are not ruling out that something suspicious may have happened, however," said Mikkelson.
Investigators are looking for a small white pickup that was seen in the area on November 3.
If you have any information related to this investigation, please call the Todd County Sheriff's Department at 320-732-2157 or 800-794-5733.
Veronica encouraged people to call the sheriff's office if they have had things like this happen.