A horse found dead and mutilated north of Fort St. John this week reportedly died from natural causes.
Veterinarians have ruled the horse died from a perforated bowel, and that scavengers were responsible for the mutilation of the animal, which was found missing its genitals after its owners discovered the dismaying scene in Rose Prairie on Tuesday.
"They were very thorough with their autopsy ... but I still question things," Amanda Babock told CBC News about the necropsy performed on her 21-year-old horse named Kelly.
"There wasn't a mark on him other than he was missing his penis and he had a small piece of skin that was missing around it."
It happened 10 days after a bull was also found dead and missing its genitals in Cecil Lake. Both incidents have renewed concerns among farmers in the region after similar incidents happened in the region five years ago.
Babcock said Friday she still has many unanswered questions, and that too many coincidences don't seem to add up.
Babcock had been keeping her horse at her mother's home, and noted the fence had been cut. Babcock also questions why a scavenger would go after the genitals, removed with minimal tearing and little blood, instead of the hind end, where there's more meat.
"How many coincidences does there have to be, before they are no longer coincidence?" Babcock asked.
The BC RCMP Livestock Section is assisting Fort St. John RCMP with the investigations. Police have said it's unclear whether the two animal deaths are related, and that there was no evidence to indicate the animals were killed by predators.
RCMP have advised farmers to check their livestock regularly and to ensure their properties are properly secured.
They are also encouraging farmers to report suspicious activity and compare notes with one another, and to install wildlife cameras that can be used for video surveillance.
Babcock is also encouraging residents to keep a close eye on their animals and their neighbours.
Trail cameras are an option, Babcock said, but added even those aren't always reliable due to how they're triggered and the quality of images they produce.
"Be aware," Babcock said.
Anyone with information about the two incidents is asked to call RCMP at 250-787-8100, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
