‘Just a heinous, weird act’
Harwich Police searching for person who impaled pony with pitchfork handle
Harwich Police are seeking the public’s help after a beloved horse in a local stable was impaled by a broken pitchfork over the weekend.
“We are deeply disturbed by this heinous attack on a defenseless animal,” Harwich Police said Monday in a statement.
The suspect in the attack is still at large and police are seeking video surveillance from nearby residents that may lead to an arrest.
Claire Bangert, owner of CB Equestrian, said that a member of her staff arrived at their Derby Lane barn on Sunday for a morning feeding and found that several horses had been freed from their stables and that Scottie, a 7-year-old Welsh pony, had “half of a pitchfork hanging out of him.”
A veterinarian removed the handle at the scene and Scottie underwent surgery later that evening. He is currently in stable condition and recovering, though Bangert said he will be susceptible to infections over the next four to seven days.
“It’s just a heinous, weird act,” Bangert said. “We can only hope local law enforcement will shed some light on it, because who could possibly do something like this?”
Bangert said Scottie is an incredibly friendly pony who likes everyone he meets.
“He’s got personality in spades,” she said. “He’s just a friendly, personable, charming little pony.”
Scottie and the horses were last seen by staff sometime between 9 and 10 p.m. Saturday for bed check, according to Bangert. She doesn’t know when the stabbing occurred, but believes the intruder came sometime around 2 a.m., since a neighbor reported that their dogs started acting up around that time.
Bangert said the stable was not equipped with a surveillance system at the time of the attack, but they have since installed cameras.
A GoFundMe page was created by Bangert on Monday in order to pay for Scottie’s medical costs and the barn’s new security system. As of Tuesday morning, the page has raised more than $21,000.
“Continued prayers, chants, and healing energy for Scottie is greatly appreciated. We never thought such an atrocity was possible,” Bangert wrote. “I will continue to believe that there is more good than evil, more help than hurt, and more love than hate in this world.”
Harwich Police said they are investigating the incident as a felony offense against an animal and are urging neighbors with security cameras to contact Detective Sgt. Bob Brackett at 508-430-7541.