Natural causes cited in death of pet horse

LONG PRAIRIE - Todd County authorities said it appears a horse belonging to a Long Prairie girl died of natural causes and was not shot by a deer hunter.

In a news release Tuesday, Todd County Sheriff Peter Mikkelson said after extensive investigation into the Nov. 3 death of a pet horse belonging to 11-year-old Katie Symalla it appeared the horse died of natural causes and was scavenged by predators. Mikkelson said there was no evidence at the scene that would indicate that someone had mutilated the horse and it was determined the horse was not shot by deer hunters.

Symalla found her horse dead in a pasture outside her home earlier this month.