News
Reward money nears the $25,000 mark
Scott Wagar
11/05/2013
The North Dakota Stockmen Association (NDSA) and the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) have announced they are offering reward money for the information that will lead to the arrest and conviction of the individual(s) responsible for chasing, killing and dragging of Dave Boppre’s Shetland pony, which took place in September of this year and was a family pet to his grandchildren.
The NDSA is offering up to $10,000 in its reward because the organization feels strongly in protecting horses and animals in the state of North Dakota.
“Animal stewardship is a priority for North Dakota stockmen,” said North Dakota Stockmen Association President Jason Zahn of Towner, N.D., in a NDSA’s press release. “Ranchers are committed to helping solve this senseless crime and we are hopeful the reward will be a catalyst in making that happen.”
The HSUS is offering up to $5,000 in its reward because of its mission against animal cruelty.
“It takes a truly calloused individual to drag a pony to death. The malicious nature of this crime has highlighted the importance of strong animal cruelty laws, “said Karen Thunshelle, the HSUS’s North Dakota state director.
“We are hopeful that this reward, coupled with the other rewards, will cause anyone with information about this heinous crime to come forward.”
Over the weekend, an anonymous donor donated an additional $5,000 to the HSUS reward, bringing the total to $10,000.
Outside of the NDSA and HSUS reward funds, a local fund has been set-up by Boppre to assist local law enforcement in the arrest and conviction of the individual(s) responsible for crimes against his miniature pony.
Presently, the fund has raised $4,500, which has come in from across the U.S. and Canada by individuals who are upset by the terrible acts done to the Shetland pony.
On the evening of Sept. 14, an individual(s) chased Boppre’s miniature pony named Bad Boy out of a field and chased it down a road and in and out of the ditches for close to one mile. At that point, the Shetland pony was either accidentally or purposely run over by the individual(s) and was killed.
From there, those in question tied Bad Boy to the back of the vehicle with a harness and dragged the horse down the road until the harness broke, which left the Shetland with no hair on either side of the animal or on the pony’s back. On one side, the hair, hide and meat was completely removed from the Shetland pony’s cheekbone.
Once the harness broke, the individual(s) then placed the horse in the back of the pick-up truck they were driving and drove to the corner of the Lake Road and Airport roads and left Bad Boy in the middle of the road where the animal was discovered.
To assist Boppre and his grandchildren with the loss of their family pet, a local resident in the area personally gave a Shetland pony to Boppre’s family for them to have and enjoy.
With the rewards coming in, along with the new Shetland pony, the kindness shown toward Bad Boy has left Boppre speechless.
“I can’t find the words to say how grateful I am for everything that has taken place concerning the pony,” said Boppre in a quite voice with deep gratitude in his eyes. “I just can’t find the words.”
Donations to Boppre’s reward fund are still being collected at the First National Bank in Bottineau and Turtle Mountain Veterinary Service just north of Bottineau. If the reward money is not used within three years, Boppre will donate the money to St. Jude’s Children Hospital.
“I decided to give the money to St. Jude’s because its facility is all about helping children and making them happy,” Boppre said. “Just like my miniature horse did for my grandchildren.”
Individuals, with information about Boppre’s Shetland pony, is asked to contact Steve Watson, sheriff of Bottineau County, at (701) 228-2740, or the North Dakota Stockmen Association East River Fieldman, Fred Frederickson, who is assisting in the investigation, at (701) 290-3993.