A Southern California couple is devastated after waking up to discover their beloved miniature ponies were shot to death.
Fernando Ibarra, 53, owns a ranch in Reche Canyon, nestled in the foothills of the San Jacinto Mountains in Riverside County.
His two miniature ponies — Brownie and Trigger — were his pride and joy. The two of them were also inseparable.
“They would literally just follow me all day,” Ibarra said. “I had apples, I had carrots for them all the time.”
However, tragedy struck on April 29 when Trigger was discovered lying in a pool of blood. A day later, Brownie was discovered lying in a dry creek bed. Both had fatal gunshot wounds.
“We did look for casings by the gate because if whoever did this and if they do shoot him, they were shot by the gate,” Ibarra said.
The gate was also found locked and closed.
The ponies were purchased around five years ago and have enjoyed spending their days outside, roaming Ibarra’s 20-acre lot.
He purchased the ponies when his grandson was born with the hopes that one day, the boy could ride the ponies and grow up with them.
However, little did he know, the ponies would serve an even greater purpose.
Ibarra is paralyzed from the chest down after he was hit by a drunk driver in 2008.
“They were my therapy after my injury,” he said. “They were like two dogs. You show up to the property and that was the first thing — they’re at the gate waiting for you.”
For Ibarra and his wife, many questions remain, including how someone could be so cruel as to kill an innocent animal.
“Why? I can’t understand it,” Ibarra said tearfully. “I can’t comprehend it. My question is, ‘Why do it?’”
The Reche Canyon area is home to many wildlife, including wild burros. In 2022, a burro was also found dead after being shot with an arrow.
“Me and my wife have spoken about it and I think it was just a thrill,” Ibarra speculated. “A thrill coming out here and shooting an animal.”
The case is being investigated by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department. Ibarra hopes by sharing his story that the suspects will be caught soon and no more animals will be senselessly killed.
Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call the sheriff’s department at 1-800-950-2444 or the Riverside County Department of Animal Services at 951-358-7387.