News

Reward fund set up to assist in the crime against Boppre's Shetland pony

Scott Wagar

10/15/2013

A drop-off container for collecting a reward for the individual(s) who tortured, killed and maimed Dave Broppe’s miniature Shetland pony has been set up at the First National Bank in Bottineau for individuals who would like to contribute to a reward the bank will give to the person who will grant information on the criminal(s) who conducted this crime.

“The bank has a bucket set up in there,” Boppre said. “People can drop off whatever they want.”

Boppre added that the North Dakota Stockman Association is also working on a reward for the crimes against the pony.

On Sept. 14, an individual(s) driving what is described as a black pickup discovered the Shetland pony in an Alfalfa field and began to chase the animal down the road and through the ditches for three-quarters to a mile distance. At that point, the horse stopped and was run over by the truck; or, the individual(s) purposely drove over the pony, which was only around 24 inches in height.

After running over the animal, the individual(s) involved then harnessed the horse to the back of the truck and dragged the miniature pony down the road until the harness broke. The horse was left with no hair on either side of his body and the hair, skin, flesh and meat rubbed off to the animal’s jawbone.

From there, the individual(s) placed the pony in the back of the truck and drove to the corner of the Lake Road and Airport Road and left the pony there.

The Bottineau County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the crime and is currently receiving numerous tips which the law enforcement agency is investigating.

By the community granting reward money, it is hoped that someone will come forward and report the individual(s) who committed the crime.

Individuals are encouraged to donate money for the reward to help the local sheriff’s department solve this crime. Boppre stated that a good number of donations have come in by individuals, which he greatly appreciates.