Prize-winning show horse found dead

CHEROKEE COUNTY, Ga. — UPDATE: The Cherokee Marshal's Office said further investigation ruled out foul play. They said, although the wound looked like a gun shot, it was actually determined to be a depressed skull fracture from a blunt object. Investigators believe the horse was likely kicked in the head by another horse, causing its death.

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There’s a $10,000 reward for the capture of whoever shot and killed a prize horse in Cherokee County Friday morning.

Channel 2's Richard Elliot learned the shooting death of Toby is like someone murdered a member of their own family.

“None of this is right,” said Lauren Eckhardt. “It’s not right. It should never have happened.”

Eckhardt said she is both sad and furious over the shooting death of the prize-winning 8-year-old Trish Sport horse.

“I mean for the whole farm, we’re terrified,” Eckhardt said. “We’re mortified. We’re scared. I mean, it’s, how can we prevent this? How can we find this person? How can we put to justice what needs to be happen?”

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The Cherokee County Marshall’s Office said sometime between 7:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. Friday, someone shot Toby in the head at the Stables at Union Hill boarding facility.

But they won’t know for sure if it was an intentional point-blank shot or a random stray bullet until a necropsy is performed.

Kevin Connally lives across the street from the stables. He doesn’t think much of the shooter.

“Gunshots are not uncommon in this area,” Connally said. “You know, some people have their own ranges around here. That’s what they said. So we hear it from time to time.”

Eckhardt said Toby’s death has devastated not only his owners but everyone at the stables, too.

“It is unbelievable,” Eckhardt said. “Um, devastated.  Heartbreaking for the sweet kid who owned the horse and a sweet horse. His life was taken way too soon.”

The shooter could face animal cruelty charges.

Cox Media Group