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Long Prairie girl given pony to replace one that was killed
LONG PRAIRIE (AP) - A Long Prairie resident has donated a pony to an 11-year-old girl who found her pet palomino, Savannah, dead and mutilated in the pasture outside the girl's home a week ago.
Katie Symalla was expected to get her new 8-month-old filly on Saturday. Her mother said it was not the first offer of a new horse her family has received since the attack on Savannah on Nov. 3.
"That's seven now," Katie's mother, Veronica Monti said, when told Thursday night of an offer a new horse from a woman in Worthington. Other offers came from other parts of Minnesota and as far away as Ohio.
Katie will get her new horse, named Rajah Sweet Lady, at the Browerville ranch, where she is kept.
"My daughters (ages 10 and 11) love horses as well, and I couldn't imagine (them) having to face something so tragic," said Sue Wenzel, who is donating Lady.
"We decided it would do her better to have the horse," Wenzel said. "It wasn't intended to replace (Katie's) horse by any means but to help her move on."
Monti said that Katie has needed counseling and has missed some school since her horse was killed.
The Humane Society of the United States has put up a $2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone responsible for the mutilation.
The veterinarian examined the animal and determined it was not mistaken for a deer and shot by a hunter, as authorities first thought. The examination showed that all the soft tissue on the left side of the head was removed by a sharp instrument.
Investigators said they are looking for a small white pickup that was seen in the area Nov. 3. Anyone with information about the crime should call Todd County Chief Deputy Bryan Tebben at 1-320-732-2157 or 1-800-794-5733.
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