Award-winning horse likely stolen from Penn Township
Penn Township Police are seeking the public's help in finding a grand champion horse stolen from a Penn Township property.
Police said an investigation is ongoing into the disappearance of a 14-year-old Halflinger mare belonging to Brian and Connie Gratzer from a property along Meridian Road.
Police believe the mare was stolen, because there was no damage to the fence, and the horse was still in the process of caring for her 2-month old filly.
“These horses won't leave their babies unless they're dead,” said Brian Gratzer.
Gratzer said he last saw Val, the horse, Thursday in his pasture and has checked all 12 acres of the space in the three days since her disappearance.
Val's coat is chestnut brown, and she has a white mane and tail. Gratzer said one identifying feature setting her apart from other Halflings is a white strip in the shape of a half-moon on her snout.
Gratzer said Val likely will have an engorged udder because her filly was still feeding from her. Gratzer said the udder engorges if a mare is not weaned off breastfeeding.
Gratzer said despite being slightly past her prime, Val still had many years left, and he does not believe she would leave her baby on her own, even if it were to die.
“She was totally healthy and in good shape,” he said. “There's no way she left voluntarily.”
Gratzer said Val was crowned Grand Champion in the Brood Mare category at last year's Butler County Farm Show, and she had won other awards in the past.
Gratzer said she produced other excellent horses for him, and he believes whoever stole her likely will try to sell the animal quickly. He said he has been monitoring auctions and sales in the region to try to track whether Val has been sold.
“Horse prices are up right now. Even horse meat prices are up,” Gratzer said. “Even if they take her to auction, it's going to bring $5,000, $6,000 or $7,000 anywhere.”
Gratzer said he has heard others in the county complain about disappearing horses, including a Clydesdale that went missing from a Sarver property in late April. In the case of the Clydesdale, a reward of $2,000 had been offered.
Gratzer said hearing about other cases has left him with little optimism that the horse will be found, but he plans to continue monitoring his connections and resources to see if Val is being moved or sold.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Penn Township Police Department at 724-586-1169.
