‘It’s just unreal’: Woman says goats stolen, beloved horse found shot to death at her home

OCONEE COUNTY, S.C. (WHNS/Gray News) - A South Carolina woman says she is working towards healing after three of her goats were stolen and her horse was found shot and killed at her home.

Kim Lusk said her goats disappeared in April. Then, this month, her horse of 20 years, named Feather, was found shot and killed at her home.

“It’s just unreal. It’s just you’re crushed, crushed inside,” Lusk said. “It just feels like you can hardly believe it.”

According to the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office, an investigation started on Sept. 18 when a 14-year-old boy was accused of killing a goat. Deputies said they have since received more reports of dead or missing animals in the Salem area.

The 14-year-old has since been taken to the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice in Columbia. His charges include the ill treatment of animals, malicious injury to animals and stealing livestock.

Lusk said she is holding onto memories of her animals as she tries to move forward.

“With God’s help I will get through it, but I won’t get over it. It’s like a death in my family,” Lusk said.

Lusk added that she will always remember her animals.

“I just try to think of Feather running wild and free,” Lusk said. “I’ve had offers wanting to give me little goats, but I can’t replace them.”