The shooting death of a horse in western Sonoma County has prompted an animal cruelty investigation.
The incident happened on early Monday near a roadway in unincorporated Cazadero, the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office said.
It wasn't clear what time the shooting took place.
The animal, a 26-year-old American Quarter Horse named "Buddy," was shot while in his pasture. He was "a handsome chestnut-colored" horse with a white blaze and three white socks, authorities said.
Anyone with information is asked to call investigators at 707-565-2121.
