A herd of wild horses graze in the Ochoco National Forest near Prineville in 2018.

A 2-year-old wild horse that is part of the Big Summit herd on the Ochoco National Forest was illegally shot and killed early this month, prompting an investigation by law enforcement officers with the forest.

The shooting probably occurred between Jan. 15 and Jan. 18, the Ochocho National Forest said in a statement.

The forest’s Law Enforcement and Investigation unit is working with Oregon State Police on the case.

The horse, which was shot twice in the abdomen, was killed on Forest Road 22 in the vicinity of Walton Lake, forest officials said. The bullets have been sent for ballistics testing to determine what type of gun was used.

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“For the folks who keep track of those horses, I know this is very painful news to hear,” said Kassidy Kern, a spokesperson for the Ochoco National Forest. “I would agree. This is really hard because it’s one of the things that makes the Ochoco National Forest unique, and we are proud of this horse herd.”

The Big Summit herd comprises approximately 138 horses, with the most recent count made in 2018. In recent years the Ochoco National Forest has established plans to reduce the number of horses but to date, none has been captured or removed. A facility to hold the animals after they are captured is still in the environmental analysis stage, said Kern.

A similar shooting death of wild horses in the Ochoco National Forest occurred about 10 years ago, Kern said.

“It’s pretty rare, to be honest,” she said.

The Ochoco National Forest is asking for help from the public to provide information related to the shooting. The penalty is a fine of up to $2,000 or up to a year in jail, or both. Anyone with information about the case can contact the Ochoco National Forest at 541-416-6500.

“We are looking for any help in finding the people who did this to this animal so that they can be held accountable,” said Kern.