Northland horse shooting investigated

A man faces firearms charges following a woman's claim her horse was shot. Photo / Thinkstock

Northland police are investigating after a woman called to say her neighbour had shot her horse.

Dargaville police Senior Sergeant Rob Nordstrom said the police communications centre in Auckland got a call from a woman from Donnellys Crossing, 46km northwest of Dargaville, saying her horse had been shot.

The alleged shooter and another man had threatened her before leaving the rural property, police said.

The men were traced to a house at Aranga, 34km northwest of Dargaville about 9.30am.

Mr Nordstrom said officers treated the callout as serious and went to a house and made telephone contact with the man.

Eventually two men came out of the house and a single barrel shotgun and ammunition were found in a nearby vehicle.

A 39-year-old man was charged with recklessly discharging a firearm and being unlawfully on a property.

It is understood the horse was in poor condition.