NBC15 Poll
Would you be glad to see the Big Ten Network and Charter reach an agreement?

Definitely!
No, I really don't care.
Depends on how much extra it will cost me.


UPDATE: Pony Shot in Marquette County Save Email Print
Reporter: Ashantai Hathaway
Email Address: ahathaway@nbc15.com

A | A | A

The family who suffered through the death of a beloved pet is now getting help from an area ranch.

M and H Miniature Horse Ranch out of Westfield has offered to give the Woitula family another pony at no cost.

The family says they accepted the offer and plan on picking up the horse sometime next week.

Authorities are still investigating the shooting.

----------------------------------------------
READ our previous report.

An area family is trying to come to grips with the loss of its pet after authorities say someone intentionally shot it.

There's now a makeshift grave covered with flowers and toys for the miniature horse who people say thought he was a stallion.

"He meant a lot to the family so it's like a big loss without him," says Olivia Woitala.

He was a Christmas present, a surprise and it was Olivia who named him Prancer, right away he became a family favorite.

"Prancer, my sister also got a horse for her daughter and we didn't know but they named their horse Dancer," says Billie Woitula.

They even taught him a few tricks, the latest one, he learned how to jump. Only on Monday he broke from his rope and wandered in the yard next door, and was shot in the neck.

"Billie Woitula says, "I don't know I have no idea who would shoot a horse and what kind of person would."

Prancer then jumped over a fence into the neighbors yard, where he would bleed, until the vet decided to put him down.

Olivia Woitula says, "I started bawling my eyes out."

Authorities are now investigating just who shot Prancer. The Woitula family wants answers and has a message for the gunmen.

"Get some help you have issues just get some help," says Billie Woitula.

As authorities investigate, the Woitalas say they will hold on to what's left of Prancer, they're keeping his ponytail and his rope and they have this grave to remember.

If you have any information call crime stoppers at 1-800-297-Tips

More Stories
Madison Firefighters Battle Overnight Fire

Madison Crime Problems

UPDATE: Three UW Students Killed in Crash

UW-Madison Responds to Student Deaths

Madison Alderwoman Seeking to Stop Cops From Ticketing the Homeless

Grant Co. Man Dead After Falling into Lake

UPDATE: Charter Strikes Deal With Big 10 Network

Mazomanie: A "Cool" City

Post Your Comments
First Name:
Location:
Enter Comments: characters left
Email (optional):
Email will not be displayed on site. For station contact purpose only.
Read Comments
Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.
Posted by: judy on Aug 18, 2007 at 05:12 AM
I know how everyone feels about this. Years and years ago I had a handicapped donkey in with my horses, coralled in the barn yard, in the middle of deer hunting season and she was shot dead, mixed with 20 horses. I knew who did it. But he would not own up to it. Afew years ago he was arrested for shooting a cop. What comes around ??????????

Posted by: I on Aug 17, 2007 at 11:11 PM
THAT IS VERY THOUGHTFUL OF M AND H RANCH. LET ALL OF US OUT HERE KNOW IF THERE IS ANYTHING ELSE WE CAN DO.

Posted by: Resident on Aug 17, 2007 at 03:52 PM
D - this is not about gun ownership. This is about a jerk who killed a horse. I dont own a gun, and dont care to. BUT Even if this jerk didnt have a gun, this would still be about a jerk that killed a horse, just with a differnt weapon. Killers dont kill because they have a gun, they kill because they kill.

Posted by: Tammy on Aug 17, 2007 at 10:29 AM
I'm a pet lover, that's very sad how people can be so cruel. D and hggfh, banning guns is stupid - where is that going to lead u?

Posted by: Rosa on Aug 17, 2007 at 08:29 AM
Where is PETA through all this. Have the Neighbors been checkd out? This just does not make any sense whatsoever.

Posted by: J on Aug 16, 2007 at 07:17 PM
MY HEART GOES OUT FOR THE FAMILY, BUT THEY SOULD PUNISHED WORSE THAN PEOPLE, I THINK PEOPLE PUNISHMENT HAS GOTTON A LITTLE ON THE EASY SIDE, LOOK AT THE DRUNK DRIVERS. THEY NEED TO REALLY GIVE THIS PERSON HARD TIME. AND I'M ONTHER ONE THAT LIKE PETS OVER PEOPLE.

Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 16, 2007 at 06:20 PM
What is going on up in Marquette County?? My family members two dogs were shot to death up there. My sympathy to the family. Whoever you are you coward... I hope you get caught.

Posted by: hggfh on Aug 16, 2007 at 02:22 PM
i second what b said from madison

Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 16, 2007 at 01:38 PM
I am sorry for the family's loss. There's some really sick people in this world. I hope that whoever did this is caught and that justice is served.

Posted by: LJ on Aug 16, 2007 at 10:34 AM
I think this is horrible. I have had horses for years. No one should be allowed to shoot a domestic animal, even a cat. However, the owners of the horse were not acting responsibly when they allowed the horse to escape. It was not much of a fence or rope if the horse got away. I wish that the animal was alive and well and back home, with a fat fine for the owners-Not the horrible ending that occurred. We need to find the shooter.

Posted by: B on Aug 16, 2007 at 10:30 AM
I hope they catch this creep. I think crimes against animals should be treated the same as crimes against people. There is no way this animal was going to harm anyone. I hope someday we will realize how important animals are. I personally like them more then people, they are not judgmental, they are not hateful, they are nothing but loving, and loyal.

Posted by: S on Aug 16, 2007 at 09:52 AM
My sympathy to the family. A pet can be so easily adopted into a family as a member. I hope that the police find this person and punish him for killing a member of their family.

Posted by: Mike on Aug 16, 2007 at 08:17 AM
I sure hope they find the individual that did this, and make them pay for a new horse for these people, and then include working for free at an animal shelter cleaning dog poop for a year to help enlighten him/ her to the plight of animals when people can't, or won't, or didn't care for them! What is especially horrific is they use minature horses for guide animals, like guide dogs, and they are the most charming, gentle, lovable creatures in the world! My prayers to the family, and if there is anywhere to donate to the family, please let us know on the news/ postings!

Posted by: Lori on Aug 16, 2007 at 08:16 AM
This is terrible and I hope they find the individual(s) responsible for this and punish them accordingly! My heart goes out to Prancers loved ones and are in my thoughts.

Posted by: D on Aug 16, 2007 at 08:15 AM
some moron probably thought it was a deer. ban guns, ban hunting and start locking up people who enjoy killing.

Posted by: ME on Aug 15, 2007 at 11:26 PM
I CAN'T BELIEVE PEOPLE ANY MORE, THAT LAST THING I HAVE EVER SEEN IN MY LIFE IS A OR AGGRESIVE HORSE THAT SOMEONE WOULD HAVE TO GO TO SUCH AN EXTREME MEASURE. I HAVE HORSES AND I WOULD HATE TO THINK OF SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPENING, I HOPE THEY FIND THE PERSON THAT DID IT AND GIVE THEM EVERYTHING AND THEN SOME THAT THEY CAN