Supporters angry wild horse shot

A herd of wild horses in the back hills of Kaitangata last year. Photo / Laura King

Residents say "enough is enough" after one of the wild horses living in the back hills of Kaitangata was found shot to death.

A Kaitangata resident, who did not want to be identified, approached the Otago Daily Times with their concerns over what they said was another incident of "animal cruelty".

A horse was found dead in a forestry block above Kaitangata with two gunshot wounds, in its ribs and neck.

"It makes you really angry, because they don't deserve that."

It appeared the horse had been shot elsewhere and walked to where it was found.

The woman said the horse was found covered in blood. A small group of wild or feral horses is known to frequent the forestry area behind Kaitangata.

Since the death of the young horse, the larger group of horses had not been seen, despite searches for them.

The woman was worried some of the other horses in the group may have been shot or injured as well.

Earlier in the year, another horse was intentionally run down by a vehicle and its back leg was injured. The horse was put down.

Although this incident was unrelated, the woman said this sort of treatment was unnecessary and cruel.

"It needs to stop. Enough is enough."

The horses were not for target practice and needed to be seen as living animals, she said.

The Kaitangata Wild Horse committee had been informed of the incident.

- Otago Daily Times