Megan Hutchinson
Staff Reporter
The “Daily Dose of True Crime” column usually revolves around infamous serial killers and cases that happen in other parts of America, but this one is in our home state of Arizona.
In the city of Heber, the wild horses are being targeted, but why? Authorities have no definitive answer as to why these protected horses are being targeted.
The killer began in early January and has targeted around 37 horses. These horses belong to the Apache- Sitgreaves National Forest. The killer usually shoots them, leaving them injured in the wild to bleed to death. Betty Nixon, one of the avid horse activists determined to catch the killer states, “I feel like there's a level of evil in this person. You know, it's just hard to describe. I would say a monster. This person is a monster.” In reality, the shooter has been targeting these horses for over three years.
The Heber Wild Horses are protected by the 1971 Wild and Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act. Over many years, the horses have brought on photographers, animal lovers, and people from other states who are curious about the wildlife. However, some ranchers and farmers believe they are a nuisance and eat the grass and land they would rather have to go to their cattle.
The killings have taken place in a labeled National Forest, the US National Forest Service has taken the investigation into their jurisdiction. However, the law enforcement officers cannot release detailed information about the investigation as it is currently an open investigation. The local women advocates believe authorities are not doing enough and know the shooter is a great danger to possibly not only animals. Last month, four horses were killed and in January of 2020, the number was fifteen. According to azcentral, “Another eight horses were found too decomposed to determine the cause of death or were determined to have died by accident in 2018 and 2019.”As a state, we have the duty to protect the natural wildlife we all love and admire. Right now, there is $5,000 for any tips or information that leads to the arrest of the killer.
Comments