Oregon law enforcement authorities are hoping the offer of a $2,500 cash reward will lead them to whoever is responsible for shooting a Quarter Horse mare discovered wounded in her pasture earlier this month.

Oregon State Police Spokesman Master Sgt. Gordon Larson said that on Sept. 19, the owner of the Quarter Horse mare notified authorities after finding the animal had been wounded by a gunshot. The mare was later euthanized due to the severity of her wounds, Larson said. The initial investigation indicates the horse was shot with a high velocity bullet from the roadway while in a fenced pasture along Izee Highway about five miles west of Highway 395 in Grant County.

On Sept. 26, Larson announced that the owner of Gander Ranch was offering a $2,000 cash reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the incident. The Grant County Stockgrowers contributed $500 to the reward fund.

If caught those responsible could face multiple felony charges carrying penalties of up to $50,000 in fines and incarceration, Larson said