Law enforcement authorities in Thurston County, Washington, have ruled that a horse’s tongue was not deliberately severed, as previously suspected.

Earlier this month, the animal’s owner reported finding the mare in her pasture with her tongue severed. Due to the injury, the horse was euthanized.

The animal’s tongue was later found elsewhere on the property, but no knife or other tool that could have been used to remove the tongue was located. Subsequent necropsy results initially ruled that the horse’s tongue was severed intentionally in an attack. However, in a June 26 written statement, the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office ruled that the mare was not maliciously assaulted.

“This was a first for all of the vets and for the Sheriff’s Office,” the statement read. “After considerable deliberation and several expert opinions, this injury is determined to be an accident