Waupaca County Sheriff's officials investigate sexual assault of pregnant horse

WAUPACA COUNTY -- Waupaca County Sheriff's officials are investigating a complaint regarding a crime involving a horse.

Sheriff's officials were called out to a property on Crain Road, in the township of Lebanon, near New London on Sunday afternoon, November 29th.

WLUK reports the property owner indicated to officials that his horses were acting as though they had been spooked -- so he went out to investigate.

That's when he found one of the horses, a pregnant five-year-old mare, injured and bleeding.

A veterinarian called out to the scene determined the horse had been sexually assaulted.

The owner of the horses says the animals were acting normal late Saturday afternoon, so the assault likely happened late Saturday night or early Sunday morning.

The horse and foal are expected to survive.

Sheriff's officials say they have contacted a person who has a history of sexually assaulting horses, but no one has been arrested.

WLUK is reporting forensic evidence has been collected and sent to the state crime lab for analysis, just as would be done in a sexual assault case. He says that evidence should aid investigators. But animal DNA is also involved. That evidence had to be sent to a second lab for analysis.

Investigators are asking anyone who saw anything strange or saw a suspicious vehicle in the area to call them at (715) 258-4466.

Meanwhile, horse owners are being advised to be keep an eye on their horses and call local police or sheriff's officials if they see anything suspicious.