Authorities seek whoever fatally shot horse

RIVERVIEW — Irene Griffith doesn’t know how to answer investigators’ questions. Who would want to kill her 13-year-old quarter horse, Rocky? Does she have any enemies?

“I don’t even know anybody,” she said Friday, as she swept her barn. “You can’t have any enemies if you don’t know anyone.”

But Griffith says she knows the bullet shot between Rocky’s eyes was intentional. Someone must have walked up her ranch’s dirt driveway with a purpose, she said, because her horses can’t be seen from the road.

Investigators don’t have any suspects yet, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Debbie Carter said Friday. Agricultural unit investigators talked to Griffith on Friday and walked through the pasture where Rocky was shot.

A neighbor and a ranch assistant found the horse lying dead in the pasture about 9:30 a.m. Thursday. They immediately told Griffith.

“I don’t care how angry you are, how upset you are,” she said. “You can come out here and feel better. But not this time.”

She’s afraid the shooter might come back, so she’s keeping her horses out of sight. Griffith loves those horses, her “babies,” but they don’t fill the void her quietest one left. She remembers how he would gently try to get her attention, how his eyes seemed to speak to her.

His stall is empty now. The only sign of him is a bent gate that he rubbed himself against.

“I don’t get it,” she said, holding back tears. “He certainly didn’t deserve it.”

Anyone with information can call the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office at (813) 247-8200.

- Jessica Vander Velde, Times staff writer

Comments

[louise kahle]

isn't it sad that in our community we
cannot love and protect our pets or
children?
when animal abuse has become sport
for others... we really need to examine
the message we send to young adults.
i love horses and cannot imagine this
majestic animal being gunned down .
I hope rocky is galloping free
away from this confused world we live in.

[Lisa]

What is wrong with people? Shooting an innocent animal for no reason at all. We live in a sad, sick world. My heart goes out to Ms. Griffith.

I hope the person responsible for this gets what is coming to them. There is no purpose for this person here on earth.

Some goon that knew she had a passion for animals shot the horse.