A 20-year-old mare found wounded and wandering in the New Mexico desert on June 9 is recovering from surgery to remove a bullet lodged in her jaw. A second bullet lodged close to an artery remains in her jaw.

The horse–which Doña Ana County investigators named Miracle–suffered multiple gunshot wounds.


Miracle, a mare found shot and wandering in Dona County, N.M.

Miracle is now in foster care.

According to Joe Jacquez, acting supervisor for the Doña County Department of Animal Control, the shooting occurred after an acquaintance of the mare’s owners volunteered to take the mare to a trader for sale.

“The trader wasn’t home, so he took her into the desert and shot her,” Jacquez said.

Local residents found her and notified authorities.

Brian Drake of Las Cruces, N.M., has been charged with extreme animal cruelty in connection with the incident. Jacquez said the horse’s former owners were not involved.

Miracle is in foster care.

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