NEW LONDON – The pregnant horse that was sexually assaulted in late November in the town of Lebanon has died.
Although the 15-year-old mare and unborn foal were initially expected to survive, Waupaca County Sheriff Brad Hardel confirmed Wednesday that the animals both died Dec. 19. However, Hardel said he’s not certain if the deaths are related to the assault.
The horse has been shipped to the University of Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in Madison to determine the cause of death, said Hardel, who added he will not have any additional information to release until the necropsy report is completed.
On Nov. 29, a man in rural New London reported his horses were acting as if they had been spooked, and found his 5-year-old pregnant mare injured and bleeding. A local veterinarian called to treat the horse determined it had been injured during a sexual assault, according to the Sheriff's Office.
The horse's owner believes the assault occurred overnight Nov. 28 or early Nov. 29.
The Sheriff’s Office has a person of interest, but no one has been taken into custody. Hardel said investigators continue to seek information from the public while awaiting results from evidence sent to the state crime lab for analysis.
If anyone saw anything suspicious or strange vehicles parked in the area of Crain Road, about a half mile east of Highway T in the town of Lebanon, Hardel asks they contact the office at 715-258-4466.
The Humane Society of the United States is offering a $5,000 reward for information, Hardel said.
