A horse got loose from a Kansas family farm. Police shot it dead to the owner’s horror
Por Jasmine Fernández — – World RSS Feed
A horse got loose from a Kansas family farm. Police shot it dead to the owner’s horror
Jenny Haynes disputed the official police account after reviewing an incident report that she said incorrectly listed her 5-foot-tall pet as a 6-foot-tall threat
Jasmine Fernández in Portland Tuesday 20 October 2026 21:23 BST
- Bookmark
- Comments Go to comments
Bookmark popover
Removed from bookmarks
Close popover
open image in gallery
Become an Independent member to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Membership today.
Already a member?
Log in
A police officer in Shawnee, Kansas, shot and killed an escaped horse in a field behind the city’s police and fire station on October 7 after a seven-hour attempt to capture the animal, officials said.
According to a police report, an officer used a Remington 700 .308-caliber rifle to fire a single shot to the horse’s head — a decision the horse’s owner called unnecessary while pointing out alleged errors in the police report.
The horse’s owner, Jenny Haynes, cried while reading the report, which she said claimed to contain several mistakes, including listing her gray mare, Lacy, as 6 feet tall when she was closer to 5 feet.
“She would never hurt anybody, I promise you, she was just a little scared horse, and darn they didn’t have to shoot her because of that,” Haynes told FOX4.
Officials said that the animal posed a continuous danger to drivers near several major thoroughfares, including Renner Road, Johnson Drive, Maurer Road and I-435. Officers noted that the horse crossed traffic lanes repeatedly, forcing drivers to swerve to avoid hitting it.
open image in gallery“Officers observed the horse cross lanes of traffic multiple times, forcing motorists to take evasive action to avoid collisions,” the City of Shawnee said in a statement. “Given the horse’s size and the speed and volume of traffic on these roadways, a collision could have resulted in serious injury or death. After more than seven hours of unsuccessful capture attempts and consultation with large-animal experts, an officer euthanized the horse to address the ongoing risk to public safety.
“The decision was made after careful consideration of the available options and in accordance with department policy and Shawnee Municipal Code.”
Haynes said her family has kept horses at a small farm near Johnson Drive and Maurer Road for more than 60 years. She bought Lacy at an auction about eight months prior because the horse reminded her of one she owned in her childhood.
The incident began when Lacy and two other horses, including a miniature horse, escaped through an open gate. Haynes and responding officers retrieved the other two animals, but Haynes said Lacy was frightened by emergency lights on police vehicles.
“The last three months, she’s been out with Buck and Missy grazing, no problems,” Haynes said. “She never tried to get out. Somehow the gate got open.
“She was just a good-natured little horse, but she was shy and could be scared easy from strangers.”
Lacy traveled nearly a mile down Johnson Drive to Renner Road, stopping in a field near the police and fire station.
“She was in a big field,” Haynes said. “She wasn’t in the street. She wasn’t a threat.”
open image in galleryPublic Safety Information Officer Emily Rittman said that the horse was a partially wild mustang that had not been halter trained.
A ranch hand who handles large-animal captures in populated areas was brought to the scene, and a horse trailer was standing by. Haynes said she expected police to pen or tranquilize the horse. However, authorities determined that tranquilizing was not viable.
“Veterinary resources were consulted regarding the possibility of tranquilizing the horse,” Rittman said. “However, after considering the practical and safety concerns, this option was determined not to be feasible under the circumstances.”
Haynes said officers informed her directly before shooting the animal.
“They said, ‘We’ve decided we are going to have to shoot her because she’s a danger to the public,’ and I said you don’t have a right to shoot my horse,” Haynes told FOX4. “She’s my pet, and she’s not dangerous.”
The city later provided Haynes with a copy of its dangerous animal ordinances.
“The Shawnee Police Department made extensive efforts to safely capture the horse and is sympathetic to the difficult circumstances,” the police department said in a statement. “The decision to euthanize the horse was made only after extensive discussion and consideration of available options in consultation with large-animal experts.”
More about
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Most popular
Popular videos
Bulletin
Read next
Fonte: – World RSS Feed
