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Wild horse shot, killed; officials offer $19,000 reward for information

By Catherine Stoddard
Published  November 15, 2024 12:22pm PST
Utah
FOX TV Digital Team
article

FILE - Photo of Pyrite. (Credit: Onaqui Catalogue Foundation)

The Brief

    • Pyrite is the third wild horse to be shot and killed on the Onaqui Herd Management Area in 20 months.
    • Another two wild horses, Jasper and Arshan, were shot and killed in March 2023.
    • Officials are offering a reward of $19,000 for any information that will lead to an arrest and conviction for Pyrite’s death.

State officials from Utah are offering a $19,000 reward for information regarding the death of a wild stallion that took place last weekend. 

The horse, a young palomino stallion, was known by many names including Pyrite, Goldie and Glory, according to the Onaqui Catalogue Foundation. 

"Pyrite was an eye-catching young palomino stallion who was a favorite of many who visited the range," the foundation wrote in a Facebook post announcing the horse’s death on Nov. 12. 

What happened?

FILE - Images of Pyrite on the Onaqui Herd Management Area. (Credit: Onaqui Catalogue Foundation)

On Nov. 10, Pyrite’s body was found by a visitor to the Onaqui Herd Management Area (HMA). They promptly reported the death to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Utah State Office law enforcement and an investigation was launched.

Pyrite’s body was found approximately three miles southwest of Simpson Springs in Tooele County. 

Investigators found evidence that indicates a shooting occurred during the week of Nov. 3 and Pyrite succumbed to his injuries over the weekend. 

3rd wild horse death 

Pyrite’s death is the third to take place in the Onaqui HMA in 20 months, according to a FOX 13 report. 

A separate $37,500 reward is being offered for information that could lead to an arrest and conviction of the shooting deaths of two other stallions that took place in March 2023. 

The horses’ names were Jasper and Arshan. 

Share your tips

Anyone who may have information about suspicious activity that they witnessed in the Onaqui HMA or may have any tips in connection to Pyrite, Jasper or Arshan’s deaths are asked to contact the Utah Law Enforcement Tip Line at (800) 722-3998 or email BLM_UT_WHB@blm.gov. 

The Source

  • Information for this article was gathered from the Onaqui Catalogue Foundation Facebook account and the Bureau of Land Management Utah State Office website. This story was reported from Los Angeles.