FW: Reward offered in shocking death of blind Mercer pony---$500????????hello???

May 5, 2008

Mercer County Horse

$500.00 REWARD!!!!!???? Hello.....is anyone there!!!!?????????????????? Patti (TOP NOTCH INVESTIGATOR NEEDED ASAP)

In a message dated 5/3/2008 3:09:12 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, george writes:

Reward offered in shocking death of blind Mercer pony

Saturday, May 03, 2008

By Linda Wilson Fuoco, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Kahlua was a sweet pony who gently carried children on his back and was always the first equine in his pasture to trot up to and greet visitors. His friendliness was all the more touching -- and unexpected -- because he was blind.

The trusting nature of the 10-year-old gelding, and his blindness, undoubtedly played a role in his torture and death. Owner Tory Morgan found his mangled body in her Shenango Township, Mercer County, pasture on Wednesday afternoon. Investigators think he was roped and dragged behind an ATV.

Both of Kahlua's back legs were broken. Large pieces of skin had been ripped away from his legs, chest and belly.

"There were enormous [bruises]" all over his body, especially on his withers, where another bone may have been broken," said Ms. Morgan, who is a trained veterinary technician. "There were rope burns that went down to the bone. Severe swelling indicates he was alive when those injuries happened. He died a slow and torturous death."

Renee Dorogy, humane agent for the Humane Society of Mercer County, said, "there are tire tracks in the pasture, we think from an ATV." The shelter has put up a $500 reward for information leading to an arrest, and donations were coming in yesterday to up the reward ante.

Four young horses shared the pasture with Kahlua -- three Arabians and a National Show Horse, which is a breed derived from crossing Arabians with American Saddlebred horses. Those four were not injured, though they have some cuts and scratches. Ms. Morgan thinks they spooked and ran away from whoever brought a vehicle into the pasture.

"But Kahlua was blind," Ms. Dorogy said. "He wouldn't have seen what was coming. And he was very sweet. He always went up to people."

Kahlua is a breed known as POA -- Pony of the Americas.

"In the summertime I have 5-20 kids here every day visiting the horses and Kahlua. I teach them about horse care and they ride. Kahlua was the safe one" that any child could ride.

"There are many angry people around here," Ms. Morgan said. "My mother is physically ill because of this. My 14-year-old son is just numb. How can you explain something like this?"

Anyone with information about Kahlua's death can call 724-981-5445.

Linda Wilson Fuoco can be reached at lfuoco or 412-263-3064

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May 9, 2008

Reward offered in shocking death of blind Mercer pony Saturday, May 03, 2008 By Linda Wilson Fuoco, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Kahlua was a sweet pony who gently carried children on his back and was always the first equine in his pasture to trot up to and greet visitors. His friendliness was all the more touching -- and unexpected -- because he was blind.The trusting nature of the 10-year-old gelding, and his blindness, undoubtedly played a role in his torture and death. Owner Tory Morgan found his mangled body in her Shenango Township, Mercer County, pasture on Wednesday afternoon. Investigators think he was roped and dragged behind an ATV.Both of Kahlua's back legs were broken. Large pieces of skin had been ripped away from his legs, chest and belly."There were enormous [bruises]" all over his body, especially on his withers, where another bone may have been broken," said Ms. Morgan, who is a trained veterinary technician. "There were rope burns that went down to the bone. Severe swelling indicates he was alive when those injuries happened. He died a slow and torturous death."Renee Dorogy, humane agent for the Humane Society of Mercer County, said, "there are tire tracks in the pasture, we think from an ATV." The shelter has put up a $500 reward for information leading to an arrest, and donations were coming in yesterday to up the reward ante.Four young horses shared the pasture with Kahlua -- three Arabians and a National Show Horse, which is a breed derived from crossing Arabians with American Saddlebred horses. Those four were not injured, though they have some cuts and scratches. Ms. Morgan thinks they spooked and ran away from whoever brought a vehicle into the pasture."But Kahlua was blind," Ms. Dorogy said. "He wouldn't have seen what was coming. And he was very sweet. He always went up to people."Kahlua is a breed known as POA -- Pony of the Americas."In the summertime I have 5-20 kids here every day visiting the horses and Kahlua. I teach them about horse care and they ride. Kahlua was the safe one" that any child could ride."There are many angry people around here," Ms. Morgan said. "My mother is physically ill because of this. My 14-year-old son is just numb. How can you explain something like this?"Anyone with information about Kahlua's death can call 724-981-5445. Linda Wilson Fuoco can be reached at lfuoco or 412-263-3064