P.A.W.H.S.
Partnership for Animal Welfare Humane Society
226 Vigilante Drive
Deer Lodge, MT 59722
mudipaws5@gmail.com
406-645-0543
01-05-2025
To:
*Powell County Sheriff Gavin Roselles
*Powell County Attorney Kathryn McEnery
* Powell County Commissioners
Dear Sheriff Roselles, Kathryn McEnery, and Members of the Powell County Board of Commissioners,
Re: Request for Fair and Transparent Investigation into the Catastrophic Drowning of a Horse in Powell County
I hope this letter finds you all well. I am writing to formally request that a full, thorough, and impartial investigation be conducted into the tragic and catastrophic drowning of a horse that occurred in Powell County about or on June 11, 2024 with video footage released to the general public through social media outlets on December 26, 2024.
Many members of our community along with many from other counties and states have reached out to PAWHS with concern over the footage. I believe it is crucial that the circumstances surrounding this event be investigated with transparency and fairness, to ensure that any potential wrongdoing is identified, and to prevent any future incidents of this nature.
Details of the Incident:
On December 26, 2024 video footage was released on social media outlets showing first a horse in a deep pond with a rider on its back while it struggled to lift it’s head out of water to breathe, the rider then unmounted the horse yet the horse continued to struggle to lift it’s head out of the water to breathe. The video shows a tie down on the horse’s head, being the reason the horse was unable to lift it’s head out of the water to breathe. A tie down is a piece of equipment used on a horse to limit it’s head movement and provide balance while riding at high speeds. Tie downs can be seen used, in arena disciplines like barrel racing and calf roping. A tie down is a strap that connects the horse’s noseband to the cinch of the saddle by a strap that goes between the horse’s front legs. The next clip on the video showed the horse floating in the pond dead. This death has raised significant concerns. The location as I have been told was Caribou Creek in Powell County, Montana. The situation surrounding the drowning has raised serious questions about whether all necessary precautions were taken to protect the animal’s welfare, and whether any violations of animal care and safety laws may have occurred. While I acknowledge that accidents can happen, the nature of this incident warrants a comprehensive investigation to determine whether there was negligence or deliberate wrongdoing.
I am requesting that the Powell County Sheriff's Department, in conjunction with the County Attorney’s Office, take the necessary steps to investigate this incident fully. Specifically, I ask that the investigation include:
Gathering all relevant evidence: This should include witness statements, photographs, video footage, and any other physical evidence related to the incident.
Interviewing all parties involved: This may include individuals who witnessed the event, caretakers of the horse, or any parties who may have had responsibility for the horse's safety.
Review of local animal welfare and safety regulations: Ensure that any applicable laws regarding animal care, safety, and protection were followed.
Ensuring transparency and accountability: I request that the findings of the investigation be made public in a clear and accessible manner, so that the community can be assured that due process was followed and justice is served.
Given the gravity of the situation, I urge you to prioritize this investigation and ensure that it is conducted without bias, with all necessary resources and diligence.
I appreciate your attention to this matter and trust that you will take the appropriate actions to investigate the circumstances surrounding this devastating loss. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me directly should you require further information or wish to discuss this issue further.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Kim Paulus
P.A.W.H.S. Director