South Dakota authorities are hoping the public can help identify those responsible for shooting and killing a horse near the city of Mitchell.

Davison County Sheriff Steve Brink said deputies responded to a call from an owner reporting that his 12-year-old mare had been shot on Feb. 17. The horse appeared to have been shot by someone using a high-powered rifle, he said.

“We don’t know the caliber of the gun, but the horse died quite a distance form the road,” Brink said.

Brink said the owner told deputies that, at the time of shooting, the horse was for sale