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A $1,000 reward is now being offered in the case of a horse beaten and left for dead.
According to the Mesa family who found Solo Vino two weeks ago, the Sheriff's investigator said he's run into a dead end and need's the public's help.
The horse is expected to be released from the hospital this weekend, but according to the veterinarian, the horse is not out of the woods.
Solo Vino continues to recover from surgery to repair a torn ligament in his neck.
The veterinarian said he also cleaned bone fragments from the horse's skull.
The family said they found the horse bleeding from the head, his legs severely swollen, and his hooves overgrown
"His gut was caved in from starvation," said Amaris Saldate.
"I just started crying because he walked up and just put his head on my chest and stood there."
Saldate said she named the horse Solo Vino, Spanish for "came alone."
She stayed with him through that first night, then took the horse to Gwen Cleary, a friend who has rescued many horses.
"I'm just really angry that someone can do this to a horse, how would you like to be hit with a 2 x 4 and left for dead, for me to see this animal suffering like this and to be left for dead just breaks my heart," said Cleary.
The veterinarian who treated Solo Vino, told Cleary and Saldate that the horse was hit so hard, it broke his skull.
The Equine Voices Rescue and Sanctuary stepped in to help set up a fund and donations began pouring in March 6, right after the story aired on ABC15.
As of March 19, Cleary said $14,000 in donations had been raised for Solo Vino's recovery.
The organization is offering the reward for information that leads to the person responsible.
If you know anything about the abuse contact the
Equine Voices Rescue and Sanctuary.
You can also make donations there by specifying "Solo Vino fund".
Or send an e-mail to
gcleary@cox.net
