Reward Offered in Carroll County Horse Shooting

GRENADA, Miss. (Press Release) – In Defense of Animals (IDA), the international animal protection organization that operates Hope Animal Sanctuary (HAS) in Carroll County, Miss., is offering a reward of $2,500 for Information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person who shot Everette, a rescue horse living at the Sanctuary.

Everette was discovered by HAS staff in the early morning hours of Friday, July 4th, bleeding from his nose with a wound believed to be a gunshot on the right side of his face. Dr. Tom Abernethy, of Veterinary Associates of Grenada, responded to the emergency call and raced to the Sanctuary to help.

After sedating Everette and exploring his wound, he confirmed that Everette had most likely been shot from the nearby roadway with a .22 caliber rifle. The bullet entered the right side of his face, angled upward, and penetrated his left nostril. Everette is stable, but the bullet wasn’t able to be removed and could cause future complications for him.

“Its stomach-wrenching to think that someone found a sense of pleasure or satisfaction in this despicable act that shattered Everette’s safe haven and caused him such pain,” said Doll Stanley, director of HAS. She added, “Everette was rescued years ago from horrible abuse and it breaks my heart that someone would do something so callous and cruel to such a sweet, trusting animal.”

Everette was rescued in 2006, when he was found chained to an enormous tractor tire by a log chain that, over time, had become embedded in his neck. He nearly died from starvation and was beaten so badly that it left him completely blind in his left eye.

Anyone with information is urged to contact HAS at (662) 809-4483 or (415) 448-0078. All calls will be strictly confidential.