Wrangler shot 'Trooper' the horse

A 27-year-old wrangler who formerly worked for Camp Tamarack, west of Sisters, has been arrested for shooting the horse "Trooper."

The horse was found injured in the woods near Cache Mountain earlier this month, suffering from what was later determined to be a gunshot wound and a pre-existing leg injury. Trooper has been undergoing treatment at Bend Equine Medical Center in Tumalo and is expected to recover and be adopted by Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch.

Deschutes County Sheriff's Office Patrol and Detective Divisions investigating the shooting received a tip from a concerned citizen regarding this incident which led to two witnesses that were able to positively identify "Trooper."

According to police, this information further led to confirmation of Trooper's original home of Camp Tamarack, a youth camp located at Dark Lake. Camp staff had decided to remove Trooper from the horses used by Camp Tamarack attendees, and was to be given to a new home.

Russell Daniel Willeford, who was working for Camp Tamarack as a wrangler, was allegedly instructed to find a home for Trooper, as had been done for other horses.

On Wednesday, October 29, detectives traveled to Banks, Oregon, where Willeford was contacted and arrested. Detectives report that evidence has been obtained to lead detectives to believe that Willeford acted alone when he made the independent and unauthorized decision to shoot Trooper rather than find a home for the horse as instructed.

Willeford is no longer employed by Camp Tamarack; he was hired as a temporary for the camp during the summer months. At the end of his employment Willeford moved to the Banks area.

Willeford was transported to the Deschutes County Jail and lodged on the charges of Animal Abuse in the First Degree (A Misdemeanor), Attempted Aggravated Animal Abuse in the First Degree (A Misdemeanor), Animal Abandonment (B Misd), Theft 1 (C Felony), and Criminal Mischief 1 (C Felony). His bail at the time of his arrest was set at $16,000.

The Deschutes County Sheriff's Office and the United States Forest Service continue to follow leads on this case. They report that, at present, there is no reason to believe that anyone from Camp Tamarack authorized the destruction of Trooper and all evidence gathered at this time suggests that Willeford acted independently.

Detectives report that Camp Tamarack has been very helpful in this investigation. For additional information about Camp Tamarack visit http://www.camptamarack.com.

Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to contact the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office Detective Division at 617-3393. Those providing information may remain anonymous.