Idaho: Sheriff's Office Investigating Leads in Mutilation as Reward Fund Grows

IDAHO -- Sheriff’s deputies are investigating leads in the torture of Patches, a young family’s Shetland pony.

“I hope the person who did this would just turn themselves in,” Minidoka County Sheriff Eric Snarr said late Friday afternoon.

Someone dragged the aging pet a mile and a half down the road, then beat and mutilated him on a canal bank near Rupert.

 

All photos: Stephen Reiss, Times-News

 

“It was a horrendous crime,” Snarr said. “I would like this person to explain it to the family” whose pony had to be put down after it was found Sunday morning.

Patches was a gift from a family friend to Hugo and Daniela Lopez’s boys, Ethan, 5, Derrick, 3, and Jacob, 2. Daniela is pregnant with their fourth child.

Snarr declined to say how many leads he had received or whether the leads were viable.

A reward for information leading to the conviction of the abusers grew to nearly $35,000 by late Friday afternoon.

  

A Go-fund-me account has raised $14,000 in three days. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals has pledged $5,000. The Humane Society of the United States has pledged $5,000 and a matching $5,000 from an anonymous supporter. Various animal welfare societies have kicked in $1,000 to $1,500 each.

The Snake River Bros, a Twin Falls-based motorcycle club, is offering the Lopez family a replacement for Patches.

“I grew up with horses and I know what they mean to kids,” club president Clint Tremelling said.

Another motorcycle club from Pocatello has made the same offer, Snarr said.

Meanwhile, folks online continue to express disgust and anger at the offenders.

“Find the sick monsters who did this to this harmless creature,” wrote Go-fund-me donor Elke Bruton, as she pledged $25 to the reward effort.

“I hope they find whoever did this terrible act and that they are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” wrote LeAnn Taylor, pledging $10. “No animal should ever suffer like this.”

Can you help?

The sheriff is asking anyone with information about the crime to call him at 208-434-2320 or Crimestoppers at 208-436-5353.

A Go-fund-me account called "Justice for Patches" is taking donations to grow the reward. Visit http://www.gofundme.com/kj3p9dx4. Or call Daniela Lopez at 208- 650-8691.

(MagicValley.com - Sept 11, 2015)

Earlier:

• Animal advocates offer $30,000 reward in torture of Idaho pony