Wild horse killings shock Outer Banks

CAROVA, N.C. - On the shores of the Outer Banks wild horses have adapted, turning sand, weeds, and often vicious weather into a survivable habitat.

"Their endurance to survive in this environment is absolutely amazing," said Carova resident Lynne Wilson. But Wilson pointed out that the Spanish Mustang cannot survive human carelessness. "To lack the consciousness not to report it, to at least call and say there's been a terrible accident...it's appalling, it's unexcusable."

In the past two months a pair of the endangered horses have died after vehicles maimed the mustangs. In the latest case, investigators said the horse on the Outer Banks' brochure, known locally as Spec, had a hind leg broken when an ATV slammed into the animal.

Hours later a veterinarian had no choice but to euthanize the horse. No one has stepped forward to take reponsibility. "That's hard to swallow right from the beginning right when you get there," said herd manager Wesley Stallings. "And it makes me want to do my job better."

A month ago a second horse died the same way, with a leg crushed by a vehicle. Again the horse had to be put down and no one came forward. "For someone to hunt him down and hit him and kill him just makes my skin crawl," said Sally Wright.

"They've been here for hundreds of years and they're such gentle and beautiful creatures," said Wright. "Who could not love them?"

As the Spanish mustang roams the Outer Banks among its growing number of human neighbors, experts say the neighbors must learn the mustang belongs here too. "If they're gone a huge chunk of our heritage and wild horse population is gone," added Wilson.

If you have any information about the horse killings, call the Currituck Sheriff's Department at 252-232-2216.