Sheriff Says Retired Racehorse Wasn’t Shot

HAMILTON, Mont. (AP) — The Ravalli County sheriff's office says a retired racehorse found dead on a ranch near Hamilton was not shot as it initially appeared, but the cause of death is not clear.

Undersheriff Perry Johnson tells the Ravalli Republic the 22-year-old horse had an injury behind its ear that looked like it could have been a bullet wound, but an X-ray revealed there wasn't a bullet. Sheriff Chris Hoffman says there was no criminal activity involved in the horse's death.

Carla Larson said her horse, Dynamite Kisser, was found dead in its pen Monday morning.

Larson says she and her husband bought the retired racehorse three years ago from a friend.

The horse had a male foal three months ago.