Wild horse euthanized after hit by vehicle on Outer Banks

COROLLA, N.C. — Authorities are looking for the driver of an vehicle they think struck a wild horse that had to be euthanized after its leg was broken on the North Carolina Outer Banks.

The Virginian-Pilot of Norfolk reported Wednesday that the horse named Spec was struck hard enough to break its left hind leg during the night Friday or early Saturday. Karen McCalpin of the Corolla Wild Horse Fund says there were hoofprints and all-terrain vehicle tracks in the area and it looked like ATV riders chased the horse onto the beach.

“This horse doesn’t spend time on the beach. That’s why I feel he was chased," McCalpin told WRAL News.

A herd of wild horses lives in the Corolla area.

McCalpin says the horse tried to drag itself over sand dunes back to its home area but collapsed after about a mile.

Two other horses have died under similar circumstances in recent months, she said.

“I’m not naive enough to think they will step forward, but I’m hoping someone else would turn them in because somebody needs to be held responsible,” she said.