Sheriff: Someone cutting horse tails

Horse owners in the Tyhee area are on high alert after a number of horses have had their tails trimmed by an unknown suspect.

The Bannock County Sheriff’s Office tells Local News 8 there were five cases reported this weekend occurring on at least three separate properties.

Leslie England said the suspect cut off chunks from the tail of Cash, her prized race horse. England said she made the discovery Monday morning.

“They left little strings. Pretty much ruined his tail,” said England.

England said horse hair can be valuable, but Sheriff Lorin Nielsen said he doesn’t think money is a motive.

“I don’t think that there’s a big value in that. That isn’t what we’re finding,” said Nielsen.

“Cash is really upset about his tail because he uses it to swipe the flies and he had a beautiful tail,” said England.

Luckily, experts say Cash’s tail should grow back.

“It’s gonna take months to even a couple of years, but there’s tail extensions that can be used for shows,” said Dr. Christy Maddock, a veterinarian at Alpine Animal Clinic in Chubbuck.

Meanwhile, Cash’s owners say they’re thankful things ended the way they did.

“They (the suspect) could have been kicked or anything could have happened or if they slipped with the razor and cut the horse,” said Shaylee Barney, England’s daughter.

England said her neighbors are banding together to help keep an eye on each other’s horses until a suspect is found.

If you have any information, please call the Sheriff’s Office at (208) 236-7114.

Reporter Luke Jones will have more of this story on Local News 8 and KIDK Eyewitness News at 10 p.m.