Canadian federal police said Wednesday they are investigating the shooting deaths of 17 wild horses of cultural significance to an indigenous community in the country’s west.
The animals were “recently euthanized” and found on government land north of Walhachin, British Columbia, Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Corporal James Grandy said in a statement.
“It looked like they belonged to a herd of wild horses that frequent this area,” he added.
The corpses scattered in two kilometers of forest
“The motive for this harrowing act cannot be confirmed at this time. However, investigators will continue to collect and examine all available evidence,” the statement said.
A team of coroners, a veterinarian and a livestock investigator from the RCMP attended the scene in this hard-to-reach area.
The bodies were scattered over two kilometers of forest and steep terrain, reports the CBC public media.
According to authorities, the horses have cultural significance to the local Aboriginal community of Skeetchestn. Contacted by AFP, its officials declined to comment.
Source: BFM TV
