Police investigating after horse found dead, apparently shot near road in Kelowna, B.C.

UPDATE: Police in Kelowna say they’ve located the owner of the dead horse that was found earlier this month just outside city limits.

Earlier Tuesday, Kelowna RCMP issued a press release, stating they were seeking public help regarding the horse, which they believed was shot and left along Postill Lake Road.

In the afternoon, though, police said thanks to assistance from the media, they have located the owner of the dead horse.

2:03 A pair of retired calèche horses happily adjusting to retirement

Police added that it is unlawful to illegally dump livestock remains, and that carcasses must be disposed of properly and according to legislation.

“Discarding something of this nature is potentially dangerous for several reasons,” says Cpl. Cory Lepine of the RCMP Livestock Section.

“It can attract predators to an area where people, pets or other livestock frequent. It can also pollute nearby waterways or sensitive environments.”

Police say the incident is under investigation.

ORIGINAL STORY:

Police in Kelowna are seeking public help after the remains of a horse were found this week on a road just outside city limits.

According to Kelowna RCMP, the dead horse was found along Postill Lake Road, behind the airport, and it appeared to have been shot.

Police say they were notified on May 3 by a person who had the found horse several days earlier near the Highlands Trail.

“This animal was shot, and appeared to be cared for prior to its death,” said Cpl. Cory Lepine of the RCMP Livestock Section.

“We are attempting to determine if this is a case of illegal dumping of remains, or something of a more serious criminal nature.”

Lepine continued, saying, “if this is an instance of someone attempting to euthanize an animal, this is not the way to do so, and the body cannot be left on the side of the road.”

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Police described the horse as a gelding, and was chestnut or sorrel in colour. It had three white socks and a small white blaze on the tip of its nose.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the RCMP Livestock Section at 250-314-1800 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.