On or around December 21, staff of Wildwood Stables discovered their horse, Lightning, suffering from a gunshot wound in his neck. Upper Cumberland Veterinary Clinic treated the horse, but on January 25, Lightning died of complications from his wounds.

Stable owner Michelle Salazar said, “We are all heartbroken. He was a special horse who was a favorite on our trail rides and the kids in the Standing Tall Life Skills Program. Who would shoot an innocent horse in his own pasture?”

At this time it is unclear whether it was an accidental shooting by an illegal deer poacher or an intentional act. Recently, a shot near the Fairfield dog park narrowly missed people with their pets.

Wildwood is offering a reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for shooting Lightning.

Anyone with information about this crime is asked to contact Fairfield Glade Security.