Family finds horse dead, shot with arrow in lung

WESTERLO, N.Y. (AP) - A rescued thoroughbred race horse has been found dead in a pasture with a crossbow arrow protruding from its chest.

Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple tells the Times Union of Albany (https://bit.ly/1p3xybV ) his office is investigating the horse’s death on Annabelle Road in the town of Westerlo. He says the arrow was shot from a high-powered crossbow and was targeted in such a way that it was meant to kill the animal.

Owner Lorraine Duncan tells the newspaper her husband found the horse, named Belle, dead Sunday morning. Duncan says the 6-year-old horse was taken in by the family after she suffered an injury, and was being trained by her daughter.

The sheriff wouldn’t comment on a possible suspect or motive.