Horse shooting horror - Marulan, NSW
| Horse shooting horror - Marulan, NSW - 30th Jul 2012 | |
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| They heard the shots shortly before eight on Monday night. But Marulan pensioners Jack and Julie Webb didn't discover the true extent of the horror until the following morning. They found four of their beloved standard bred horses slain in a paddock on their normally peaceful Winfarthing Road farm. Three of them had died of gunshot wounds. Another was found dead in a fence nearby after taking fright from the gunfire. The couple's son Jim said the whole family was devastated and has vowed to track down the "callous bastards" responsible. Goulburn police are investigating. It's believed those responsible could have been in two vehicles which were seen travelling down Winfarthing Road at about the time the shots were heard. "They have reduced two proud 80-year-old plus pensioners to quivering wrecks," Mr Webb said. "Our three young daughters believed that the family farm was part of their magical kingdom, but is now a place of death and horror filled nightmares. "There was no easy way of breaking the news that the horses that their grandparents named after them had been slain - for what – someone's sick kicks. "I'm struggling to hold my family together, the grief we are living through is only one tear from hell." The horses might have been family pets, much loved by Mr Webb's parents and children, but they were also valuable breeding and racing stock. "Thirty years of establishing our own bloodlines ... gone," Mr Webb said. He had this message for the culprits: "You callous bastards have no idea of the cruelty you have inflicted not only on these defenceless horses but to the people that give their all." "We nurture, protect and care for these purpose-bred harness racing breed. In your senseless act you have wiped out over 30 years of our labour of love. "If you have any soul - repent and turn yourself in. The authorities are on your trail as we are left to bury our family pets," Mr Webb said. Mr Webb said his parents heard the shots while watching the Monday night football. They thought it might have been hunters on a nearby property shooting kangaroos, which are in large numbers around the district. "These horses were targeted. This was no accident," Mr Webb said. "They could not have possibly confused those horses with kangaroos." Police yesterday said they were canvassing the Marulan area for clues and witnesses. They confirmed that on Tuesday afternoon two more horses were found injured on the Webbs' property. Mr Webb said police found a torch and spent cartridges on the property. "They had gained access to the property to carry out this awful act," he said. "To think mum and dad were home, not too far away, is frightening." Anyone with any information is urged to contact Goulburn Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. | |
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