WDR reports on a yearling in the Höxter district that suffered broken hind legs and severed tendons

According to WDR, the Graßhoff family has been raising Pintos for more than 40 years. The horses are currently grazing in a pasture outside Altenbergen, a village that is part of the town of Marienmünster in the district of Höxter.

On Tuesday, June 9, the Graßhoff family went to the pasture and found a yearling there whose hind legs were broken and whose tendons had been severed. A horrific scene. As WDR reports: “The horse could only move using its front legs.” Breeder Thomas Graßhoff is quoted as saying: “She was severely abused. You see a horse in agony. I immediately had tears in my eyes. You just ask yourself: Why?”

The Graßhoff family suspects that the perpetrator had a personal motive and that it must have been someone who wanted to harm them and used the yearling mare for that purpose. The crime must have been committed either during the night of June 8–9 or during the day on June 9. The horse owner and the police believe that at least two people must have been involved in the crime.

The police and the local gamekeeper searched the pasture for any clues that might explain how the mare had injured herself. But they found nothing, not even the dog they brought in. According to WDR, this rules out the possibility that the yearling was at fault. A report has been filed against persons unknown. The Graßhoff family has offered a reward of 8,000 euros for information from witnesses leading to the apprehension of the perpetrators.

WDR also cites a statement from the police indicating that while there are rumors on social media suggesting that several such incidents have occurred in the area, the police are not aware of any others.