News

Miniature horse case solved

By Scott Wagar

12/17/2013

The death of a Shetland pony in Bottineau County owned by Dave Boppre has been solved with no arrests or charges against those who were responsible.

In a Courant interview with States Attorney Swain Benson, on Monday, Dec. 16, he stated that a joint investigation between the Bottineau County Sheriff’s Department and the North Dakota Stockmen’s Association has been concluded, and those involved in the death of the pony will not be charged because the incident was by mishap with no malice intended.
Benson added in a press release the findings of the case.     
“Upon concluding the investigation, the results were forwarded to the Bottineau County State’s Attorney. After reviewing all of the evidence, the Bottineau County State’s Attorney has declined to file any charges in the death of this horse as there was insufficient evidence to indicate any crime had been committed,” stated the press release. “The death of the miniature horse resulted from an accident and there was no evidence of any intentional act of cruelty to, or torture of, the animal.”

On Sept. 14, Broppe’s Shetland pony was found dead near the Bottineau airport and appeared to have been abused. Boppre and law enforcement initially said they found evidence of the horse being chased, hit by a truck, dragged and then dumped at the airport.

After the individuals were taken into custody for interviews it was discovered that the individuals had come over a hill near Broppe’s farm and came across two horses standing in the road. Attempts were made to avoid the horses, but in the process the Shetland pony was hit. The driver of the vehicle stopped and checked on the animal and found the animal to have been killed in the accident. The driver then left the scene.

How the horse was transported to the airport road is uncertain at this time. However, law enforcement believe that during the weekend that it happened there were a lot of individuals out on the roads in the Turtle Mountains and it is believed someone might have transported the animal to that location.

With the incident being an accident, and no charges being pressed against the individuals responsible, no names will be released.        
The $25,000 reward money that was offered by the North Dakota Stockmen’s Association, the Humane Society of the United States and individuals throughout the nation for the arrest and conviction of those responsible in the killing of the horse, will either stay with or be released back to those involved.

According to the Stockmen’s Association and Humane Society, their boards will make the decision if the money they offered will be given out or not.

All checks will be sent back to the donors while all private cash donations will be given to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.