News

Local sheriff's office investigates a crime

By Scott Wagar

10/01/2013

For one family who lives in the Turtle Mountains tragedy has come to them due to an individual(s) which conducted one of the most hideous crimes a person(s) could ever commit, chasing, killing and dragging a miniature horse.

Dave Boppre owned the miniature Shetland pony, an animal he purchased for his grandchildren to enjoy and ride. However, on Saturday, Sept. 14, between 9:30 and 10 p.m., the animal was grazing in an alfalfa field when an unknown suspect(s) decided to cause trouble for the pony, which barely stands two feet tall and was known for being a caring and loving animal.

“My horse was in an alfalfa field and someone felt the need to chase him out of the field with a truck and run him down the road about approximately three-quarters of a mile to one mile,” Boppre said. “The vehicle was in and out of the ditch approximately four times that we know of and back on the road. Then, either the horse stopped, or they decided to run over my horse, and, ran over my Shetland pony.

“My horse was then hitched to the back of the truck and was dragged down the road until the halter broke,” Boppre added. “They dragged him for so long there was no hair on either side of him or on his back. The hair, hide and meat were total gone on the cheekbone of his face. From there, my horse was thrown into the back of the pickup and driven to the corner of the Lake Road and Airport Road and was dumped directly on the road and left there.”

The police found the Shetland pony around 11 p.m. that night and have started an investigation into the crime. Very little information is being let out due to the investigation, but Sheriff Steve Watson did state that numerous tips have come in and that they are in search of a black pickup.

Evidence was also left behind by the individual(s) that committed the crime, which is being studied by law enforcement.

For Boppre, he stated that his grandchildren are brokenhearted and have come to tears over the loss of their pony.

“My grandchildren are very, very lost. The pony gave them rides all day long and they just loved that horse,” Boppre said. “The animal was no bigger than a St. Bernard and he was so tame and kindhearted.”

As for Boppre, he cannot find the words to show his anger over the incident.

“You can’t print what I want to say,” he said. “It worse than sick.”

At the present moment, the North Dakota Stockmen Association is working on setting up a reward for the individual who steps up and speaks out about the person(s) which did this crime.

Individuals, who know anything about this crime, are encouraged to call the local sheriff’s department and give out any information that could lead to the arrest for the person(s) responsible for the incident.