Miniature horses slaughtered: Police say locals may hold key to solving Clayton Bay crime

AUSTRALIA -- South Australian police say the local community may hold vital clues about the slaughter of six miniature horses at a property on the Fleurieu Peninsula, south of Adelaide.

The killings took place at the farm in Finnis-Clayton Road, in the town of Clayton Bay, after the animals had been stabled on Friday night.

All six horses had their throats cut, while three other miniature horses kept in the same stable were left unharmed.

A statement on the Jacksons Miniature Horses Facebook page says the horses were "deliberately murdered by someone who new (sic) us".

One of the miniature horses killed

"These horses were not slaughtered by any random lowlife. They were deliberately murdered by someone who knows us. It was a 'hit'," the statement said.

"We will get the insane low life scum who did this however long it takes.

"RIP little ones. You didn't deserve this and the atrocity of your deaths has to appal not only horse lovers but also anyone claiming to be human."

A private reward of $100,000 has been posted for information leading to a prosecution in the case.
Superintendent Rob Williams says if those responsible are prosecuted, they could face 10 years in jail.

"We are really asking for the community's assistance in this crime - a particularly vicious crime on defenceless animals," he said.

"Significant penalties [are] involved in these types of crimes, and we are asking for the community's help to give us the information through Crime Stoppers. Any information will be of assistance."

The owners say the killings happened some time between 9:00pm on Friday - when the animals were last checked - and 8:30am on Saturday, when a staff member made the gruesome discovery.

"It just would take an extremely sick individual, I think, to carry this out, and we just can't believe it," said Daniel Spong, the son of the property's owner.

One of the horses killed

"These horses each have their own characters and personalities and each of the staff and family have their own personal relationships with the animals.

"Given the location of the property ... it certainly looks as though it's a targeted attack, but [we have] absolutely no idea why or who is behind it."

'I just kept finding one after another'
Staff member Terry Hocking looks after the horses and says he was called to the farm by another staff member who had found them.

"I went straight to the first box, of the horse I love dearly, and his throat was slashed," Mr Hocking said.

'I just kept finding one after another'

"And I went down, and I just kept finding one after another.

"There were three in the box that were very traumatised and we got them out a little later, so it's going to take some time for them to come back to reality."

The horses were last on show at Mallala, north of Adelaide, a fortnight ago.

Property owner Julie Jackson says she is shocked by the callous attack.

"[The horses] would've trusted everybody. Whoever walked in to do this, they would have trusted them," she said.

"We saw most of them born and we bred them, except for one."

One of the survivors

The six horses have been buried on the property.

Owners and staff are caring for the three surviving horses, which have been left traumatised by the killings.

Anybody with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

(abc news - Dec 23, 2013)