South Carolina

2nd horse stabbed and killed in northern South Carolina, officials say

CAMPOBELLO, S.C. — Authorities said two horses have recently been stabbed in northern South Carolina and investigators are trying to figure out if the attacks are related.

In the most recent incident, a quarter horse named Trigg was cut on the leg down to the bone and was slashed so deep on the stomach that its intestines were coming out at a Campobello pasture, owner Ann McGinnis said.

"I thought maybe it was an accident at first," McGinnis said. "I thought maybe he cut (his leg) on a branch or something. I didn't think it was that serious."

Now McGinnis said she is in shock. She had owned Trigg for six years, and of her two horses, Trigg was the one she trusted to ride.

"He loved people," McGinnis said.

Spartanburg County animal control officials said this is the second horse in the county to be cut and stabbed. They did not release details on the other attack.

Mike McCarter buried Trigg after the horse was euthanized. He said the slashings have other horse owners in the area worried.

"This bothers me," McCarter said. "I don't understand why anyone would want to do this. This is senseless."