Rescued horse shot three times, killed
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MADISON COUNTY, Tenn. — A West Tennessee farmer is looking for answers after a horse he rescued from near death several years ago was killed over Memorial Day weekend. David Hart is a fourth generation farmer who is now asking for justice after his horse Bane was shot and killed Sunday night. “I want justice,” Hart said. “I want fair justice for what he’s took from me.” Hart says he wants the gunman who shot and killed his horse put behind bars. On Sunday, he found Bane with three gunshot wounds at their northwest Madison County farm. “You can’t put a value on it,” Hart said. “The bond and friendship you have with the animal is something special. Anybody that can do this is heartless.” The Madison County Sheriff’s Office says Bane was shot three times by a high-powered rifle while the horse was grazing in a field. Hart says after Bane was hit, the horse did not die. He says Bane limped several feet before collapsing on a fence where Hart first saw him. “What bothers me most about them shooting off the road — they might as well be shooting at me,” Hart said. Hart says Bane had a rough life before he was shot. Years ago, Bane was rescued by the farm and almost made a full recovery after being neglected. “He had been tangled up in a fence for two weeks without food or water and was literally nothing but bones and skin,” Hart said. The Hart family farm continues to grieve the loss of their beloved horse. They want to warn fellow animal owners that their animals may not be safe out in the open. “Anybody up and down the back roads or anywhere right now, put your horses up at night,” Hart said. “Just until we can get these people off the streets — it’s just not right.” Bane was buried on the family’s farm Tuesday morning. The Madison County Sheriff’s Office says they currently are investigating the shooting. Anyone with information should call Crime Stoppers at 731-424-TIPS.
