Miniature horse shot to death in Palmetto

MANATEE -- Detectives with the Manatee County Sheriff's Office are investigating the fatal shooting of a miniature horse that occurred sometime between Sunday evening and Monday morning.

According to a release, Savannah Bell, the 25-year-old owner of the horse, discovered the horse Monday when she went to the property located at 2410 21st St. Ct. E., Palmetto to check on her animals.

"We checked with the owner of the horse and she does not want to do interviews," sheriff's office spokesman Dave Bristow said in an email Wednesday.

The horse, named Bell, was located in an outside area near the stable and the barn, deputies said.

According to the release, no one lives on the property where the shooting occurred. The horse is valued at $1,500.

The investigation continues and detectives are asking anyone with information on the incident to please call the sheriff's office at 941-747-3011, ext. 2551 or Crime Stoppers at 866-634-TIPS.

This story was originally published April 20, 2016 at 3:18 PM with the headline "Miniature horse shot to death in Palmetto ."