Death of horse tied to pole in Sylmar was accidental, LAPD says

SYLMAR, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- The disturbing sight of a horse that appeared to have been beaten or shot to death and left tied to a pole by its tail in Sylmar was actually an accidental death, police said Monday.

The horse was found April 9 on the 11700 block of Kagel Canyon Street.

At the time, police said it appeared the horse was either shot or beaten to death and tied to a telephone pole after it was unloaded from a trailer.

Now police are saying that wasn't the case.

After the horse's body was discovered, it was sent to San Bernardino for a necropsy.

The investigation determined the horse was not shot or beaten, but appears to have died while struggling inside its horse trailer, hitting its head and possibly strangling itself, according to LAPD Officer Tony Im. He said it was an accident and not a case of animal abuse.

Police say no charges will be filed against the owner of the horse.

City News Service contributed to this report.