Monroe County Sheriff: 3 horses, 2 dogs killed, possibly by ‘a large animal’

I tried posting this in alternative news,followed all protocol and it would not let me post it so, here it is.

MONROE CO., KY (WAVE) - Three horses and two dogs, a pit bull and a husky, were found dead in Monroe County on Sunday. On Sunday morning, members of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and Kentucky Fish and Wildlife responded to reports of dead animals in the Bill Butler Spur area. Once on scene, they found three horses, a pit bull and a husky dead. It is believed that the incident occurred in the early morning hours. A preliminary investigation indicated that the killings could have been done by a large cat or other type of animal. The Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Diagnostics Team in Frankfort will travel to examine the animals. Residents were highly advised to keep a close eye on small children and animals when outside, to use caution and to be aware of their surroundings.

www.wave3.com...

3 horses, a pit bull and a husky all in 1 night? I can't really see a mountain loin in southern Kentucky doing that. But, I maybe wrong.

Waiting on a report from the team to see what conclusions they come up with.

a reply to: Groot

I'm with you. Really, a cougar killing three horses???? I think one horse would tire it out- if it could even kill a horse.

Wow, that's creepy...

If in the vicinity, that's quite a handful, Three horses and two dogs, one of which a pit, damn must of been one angry predator...

No cat would even attempt that many for fear of injury.

Grizzly?

It sounds like a big cat got loose from somewhere, like a zoo or personal collection. Large tiger, lion, etc maybe even a puma or jaguar.

Kentucky has a big coyote problem .... If the coyotes are in a large pack and hunting , they can take all Of that down .

That is insane! You know a horse can outrun a grizzly and I don’t know any cats to take on a pit plus the others. And the scariest part is that I’m not too far from there! Eek!

a reply to: pteridine

That is my guess as well.

a reply to: pteridine

Don't know about Grizzly, but KY is abundant in Black Bears and have been spreading further into the commonwealth.

As for your animals and pets...

"Livestock/Feed
As is the case with pets, injury or death to livestock is an uncommon occurrence in Kentucky. The potential does exist, however, so we encourage landowners to minimize conflicts by following these guidelines.

Store livestock feed inside a sturdy, enclosed structure.
If possible, do not store feed in the immediate vicinity of livestock. This is especially true for chicken coops that may be easily entered by a bear.
Locate calving grounds away form forest edges, and enclose with electric fencing if possible.
Bury or move dead livestock away from living animals as carcasses will attract bears and other predators." Et al.

Source:

fw.ky.gov...

Some articles I briefly perused seemed to indicate some, but not sure...

originally posted by: Meldionne1
Kentucky has a big coyote problem .... If the coyotes are in a large pack and hunting , they can take all Of that down .

You'll think they would have identified track marks of some kind.

After some research, although big cats have been gone from this area for at least 100 years and capable of taking down a horse, they are making a come back. This is just a few hours south of me , close to the Kentucky Tennessee border.

If it was a cougar, she was protecting her cubs is my guess.

originally posted by: FreeFalling
That is insane! You know a horse can outrun a grizzly and I don’t know any cats to take on a pit plus the others. And the scariest part is that I’m not too far from there! Eek!

I've been through the "Pit vs bobcat" debate a few times and even though bobcats are often smaller, most seemed to think they would easily win b/c how quick they are, their teeth are much sharper and their claws. They can kill humans easily, pits do to, but often they survive.

originally posted by: Groot
I tried posting this in alternative news,followed all protocol and it would not let me post it so, here it is.

MONROE CO., KY (WAVE) - Three horses and two dogs, a pit bull and a husky, were found dead in Monroe County on Sunday. On Sunday morning, members of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and Kentucky Fish and Wildlife responded to reports of dead animals in the Bill Butler Spur area. Once on scene, they found three horses, a pit bull and a husky dead. It is believed that the incident occurred in the early morning hours. A preliminary investigation indicated that the killings could have been done by a large cat or other type of animal. The Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Diagnostics Team in Frankfort will travel to examine the animals. Residents were highly advised to keep a close eye on small children and animals when outside, to use caution and to be aware of their surroundings.

www.wave3.com...

3 horses, a pit bull and a husky all in 1 night? I can't really see a mountain loin in southern Kentucky doing that. But, I maybe wrong.

Waiting on a report from the team to see what conclusions they come up with.

I agree in one night? all in the same area? were they all together? So many questions... Were there tracks? Were they eaten or just killed?

originally posted by: DigginFoTroof

originally posted by: FreeFalling
That is insane! You know a horse can outrun a grizzly and I don’t know any cats to take on a pit plus the others. And the scariest part is that I’m not too far from there! Eek!

I've been through the "Pit vs bobcat" debate a few times and even though bobcats are often smaller, most seemed to think they would easily win b/c how quick they are, their teeth are much sharper and their claws. They can kill humans easily, pits do to, but often they survive.

I have a pit, and one swipe from a household cat and he is running. All these animals are fast , but 3 horses? Waiting on the spin from the wildlife agency.

What were the foot prints they found?

We carry guns backpacking because of Puma. 357 or 50mag

Killer bees?

a reply to: Groot

This may sound a little morbid but I would like to see the pictures of the dead to maybe get a clue as to what did it. Tracks in the area would also be nice.

Grizzle was first to come to mind but I doubt one could get more than one horse. Cougar also came to mind but lets be real here. I doubt it, they may be good hunters but to take on a horse is kinda wild. I’m going to go with Grizzly but still kinda odd that it got three horses.

Pretty strange story man

originally posted by: Groot
After some research, although big cats have been gone from this area for at least 100 years and capable of taking down a horse, they are making a come back. This is just a few hours south of me , close to the Kentucky Tennessee border.

If it was a cougar, she was protecting her cubs is my guess.

I have a cabin about 40 miles south east of the kill site, northwest of Jamestown off Livingston highway. I definitely have big cats in my area. They are black and the size of a large cougar and very weary of people. I have never heard of anything like this before. There is plenty of game in the area without going after something as hard to kill as a horse. And cougars usually run from dogs. It’s a little spooky.
I was there today for a visit and to do a little cleanup. The forest was very quite. If I am the only person on the mountain it get spooky sometimes.

a reply to: Nickn3

Missing 411

Watch yourself out there, it can happen to anyone, of any age of all the wildlife experiences, none are differentiated.

originally posted by: Arnie123
a reply to: Nickn3

Missing 411

Watch yourself out there, it can happen to anyone, of any age of all the wildlife experiences, none are differentiated.

Sounds like good advice.