Police investigating after intruder shoots five horses on remote cattle station

A pastoralist living in Western Australia's remote northern Goldfields says he is devastated after an intruder shot five horses on his property in an alleged act of animal cruelty.

One horse was killed and four had to be euthanased after being badly wounded at the remote Melrose Station, 115 kilometres north of Leonora on Thursday.

Police are searching for the male culprit, who was seen driving away in a white Toyota utility with a distinctive black tray.

David Broad said the yard where the horses were shot was only 300 metres from his homestead.

The retired racehorses were feeding on hay when they were shot just before 11:00am on Thursday.

"I heard a rifle shot, which is pretty unusual," Mr Broad said.

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Article written by: Jarrod Lucas and Tara de Landgrafft