Detectives were summoned Wednesday to Estate Anna’s Hope by veterinarians with the V.I. Department of Agriculture to investigate a badly beaten horse found near the Youth Rehabilitation Center, the V.I. Police Department reported Friday.
According to the owner of the horse, the mare had been purchased in September as a therapy aide for her teenaged grandson, who suffers from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. The horse had been stolen on several occasions but was always recovered. The horse recently won a race at the "Polo Grounds" in Estate Humbug.
The horse had been secured at about 5 p.m. Tuesday near the Youth Rehabilitation Center. When the owners went to check on the mare at 7 p.m., the horse was found lying on the ground, bleeding from the head. The suffering animal was discovered to have sustained several deep lacerations in the neck area, nose, face and head, and eventually had to be euthanized due to the severity of the injuries.
Police are asking anyone with information concerning the incident to contact the Insular Investigation Bureau by calling 1-340-778-2211 ext. 6102, or the 911 emergency call center or the anonymous tip service, Crime Stoppers USVI, at 1-800- 222-8477.
