Man shoots horse with crossbow, films death
October 13, 2009
A man in Western Australia has been charged over allegedly shooting a horse with a crossbow and filming its death.
Police in West Australia allege the 30-year-old man from Norseman, nearly 200km south of Kalgoorlie, kicked the badly injured horse to the ground before filming its death.
He is due to appear in the Norseman Magistrates Court on October 20.
"It will be alleged that at around 7.30am on August 1, 2009, the man was in possession of a large hunting bow and a number of arrows," police spokeswoman Ros Weatherall said.
"The man then located a group of horses, and shot two arrows at a horse from around 10 metres away.
"The horse, which was in pain and shock, received substantial wounds from being shot.
"The man then kicked the horse with significant force to force it to the ground, and filmed the horse suffering and dying."
It is believed the incident, which occurred near Norsewood township, was brought to police attention after someone saw the video recording made by the man on his phone.
Police say they have seized the recording.
The man has been charged with cruelty to an animal, failing to ensure safe-keeping of firearm/ammunition and possession of unlicensed ammunition.