ESSEX, Vt. -
There is a disturbing case of animal cruelty in Essex, Vermont.
Police say someone sprayed some type of chemical on a horse's face, badly burning it. The burns to the 13-year old mare's face are so severe we had to blur pictures of it.
"Nellie is really the victim of a vicious assault," says Deborah Loring, Spring Hill Horse Rescue.
Loring says her group is helping Nellie's owners care for their injured horse.
"It was really, really distressing to see a horse with her entire face just pretty much burnt off," says Loring.
A couple weeks ago, Essex police say Nellie was in her pen when someone sprayed a chemical on her face. It was not until the morning that her owners discovered what had happened.
"They were absolutely shocked. So they called the police and the vet," says Loring.
As of yet police say no one has been charged. The Humane Society is offering a $2,500 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for the attack.
Loring says Nellie is improving and her burns are being treated.
But she faces a tough future. Loring says Nellie needs to gain weight and the paint mare's badly damaged eye needs to be removed.
"Horses can live well into their 30's. So hopefully she will and hopefully she'll recover," says Loring.
Anyone with information about the attack is asked to call Essex police.
If you are interested in helping the owners to pay for the surgery, CLICK HERE to visit Spring Hill Horse Rescue. (Warning: there are potentially disturbing pictures for some readers)
