‘It just makes no sense’: Horse, a beloved family pet, shot on Ladysmith farm

A Vancouver Island family’s sense of safety has been shattered after their horse, a beloved family pet, was inexplicably shot on their rural property.

Cash, a friendly, sweet-tempered horse, has been with Jonathan Cairns’ family for 17 years. He was well-known in the neighbourhood and was doted upon by the family, including Cairns’ 12-year-old daughter.

“He’s been around since she was born,” said Cairns on Tuesday. “She brushes him, spends time with him, feeds him, brings him apples.”

Every morning, Cash was quick to come up for his feed, eager to munch on a breakfast of grains. On Sunday, however, he was nowhere to be found when Cairns’ father went out with the grain.

“We went down and saw him laying in the back pasture with a gunshot wound on his shoulder,” said Cairns. “He couldn’t get up. The damage was pretty extensive.”