$10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest of person that beat horse to death with shovel

The owners of a horse killed by a shovel near Pactola Reservoir in Pennington County, South Dakota, are offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.

Details of the case

Incident date: The horse’s owner found the animal dead on October 9, 2025.

Location: McCurdy Gulch Road, near Pactola Reservoir.

Cause of death: The horse was beaten to death with a shovel.
Investigation: The Pennington County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incident. The owners announced the reward after a week passed with no arrests.

How to submit a tip

The sheriff’s office is asking for the public’s help in finding those responsible.

If you have information: You are asked to contact the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division at 605-394-6115.

Evidence to look for: Investigators are asking nearby homeowners to check their surveillance cameras for any video taken around the time of the attack, which is believed to have occurred within 24 hours of the discovery.

Report suspicious activity: The public should also report any unusual vehicles or people they saw in the area