The Associated Press State & Local Wire
November 20, 2002, Wednesday, BC cycle
7:41 AM Eastern Time
SECTION: State and Regional
LENGTH: 195 words
HEADLINE: 89-year-old deer hunter charged in shooting of horse
DATELINE: MINNEAPOLIS
BODY:
An 89-year-old deer hunter was charged with a misdemeanor after allegedly shooting a white horse that was being ridden by a 12-year-old girl in western Minnesota.
Clinton Hurlbut, of Browns Valley, was charged with reckless use of a firearm after he allegedly fired a shotgun slug from his property about 200 yards from where Lindsey Duffield was riding her horse, Princess. The horse was shot in the shoulder and the slug narrowly missed the girl's leg.
Hurlbut told authorities he thought he had seen a deer.
Traverse County Sheriff Don Montonye said Hurlbut feels terrible about the Nov. 9 shooting. "He's taking it real hard," Montonye said.
The girl was riding on her grandfather's farm on the outskirts of Browns Valley, a town of 800 near the South Dakota border. Her mother, Candy Duffield, said Hurlbut has apologized.
"He just sat and cried the whole time," Duffield said. "He gave her a hug and she hugged him at the end. It was an accident."
Princess is recovering from the gunshot wound, but even if the horse survives, it might not be able to be ridden again.
Hurlbut is scheduled to appear Thursday in Traverse County District Court.
LOAD-DATE: November 20, 2002
November 20, 2002, Wednesday, BC cycle
7:41 AM Eastern Time
SECTION: State and Regional
LENGTH: 195 words
HEADLINE: 89-year-old deer hunter charged in shooting of horse
DATELINE: MINNEAPOLIS
BODY:
An 89-year-old deer hunter was charged with a misdemeanor after allegedly shooting a white horse that was being ridden by a 12-year-old girl in western Minnesota.
Clinton Hurlbut, of Browns Valley, was charged with reckless use of a firearm after he allegedly fired a shotgun slug from his property about 200 yards from where Lindsey Duffield was riding her horse, Princess. The horse was shot in the shoulder and the slug narrowly missed the girl's leg.
Hurlbut told authorities he thought he had seen a deer.
Traverse County Sheriff Don Montonye said Hurlbut feels terrible about the Nov. 9 shooting. "He's taking it real hard," Montonye said.
The girl was riding on her grandfather's farm on the outskirts of Browns Valley, a town of 800 near the South Dakota border. Her mother, Candy Duffield, said Hurlbut has apologized.
"He just sat and cried the whole time," Duffield said. "He gave her a hug and she hugged him at the end. It was an accident."
Princess is recovering from the gunshot wound, but even if the horse survives, it might not be able to be ridden again.
Hurlbut is scheduled to appear Thursday in Traverse County District Court.
LOAD-DATE: November 20, 2002