BREAKING NEWS: Tiny horse ‘Diesel’ who survived devastating bushfires is shot and killed in a ‘despicable act’
- Miniature horse named Diesel shot dead in what police said is a ‘despicable act’
- Chantal Press and her husband found the horse’s body 300m from the property
- Police say the killing was deliberate and are conducting thorough investigation
A miniature horse named Diesel who survived horrifying bushfires was shot dead in what police have described as a ‘despicable act’.
Chantal Press and her husband found Diesel’s body about 300m from their property in Ewingar, near Tenterfield about 800km north of Sydney, on Sunday.
The couple had adopted the pony after its owners had their property burnt when bushfires ravaged nearby Drake in September.
Chantal Press and her husband found Diesel’s body about 300m from their property in Ewingar, near Tenterfield about 800km north of Sydney, on Sunday (stock image – Diesel not pictured)
Ms Press said she was furious someone had trespassed onto their 44 hectare property, walked up the 1km driveway and killed the pony, the Northern Star reported.
Ms Press told the regional news outlet that a stray bullet was found in Diesel’s body, which Ms Press said she believes was used to hunt kangaroos nearby.
The miniature horse was let out at 6.30pm and when the couple went to bring him back in at 11.10pm, he was dead.
‘He already had rigor mortis, which meant he had been dead for some hours,’ Ms Press was quoted saying.
‘By his hoofprints, police said he appeared to have only gone 300m from the house to eat some grass and the other horses were very distressed.’
The couple had adopted the pony after its owners had their property burnt when bushfires ravaged nearby Drake (pictured) in September
The couple initially thought the pony was attacked by dogs as he had blood all over his mane, but the injury looked deliberate.
Ms Press said Diesel was ‘a real sweetheart’ and is offering a reward for anyone with information on his death.
‘We hope the person responsible comes forward and apologises. They knew what they were doing. Diesel was very gentle he did not deserve this,’ she said.
Richmond Police District Chief Inspector Susie Johnston described the killing as a ‘despicable act’ and is taking the investigation ‘very seriously’.
She is urging anyone with information to contact Richmond Police District or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted NSW Police for comment.