By STAN MADDUX

Indiana Correspondent

HUDSON LAKE, Ind. — Police in northern Indiana are turning to the public for help in developing leads in the shootings of two horses and a cow.

The injuries were not life-threatening, but serious enough for a veterinarian to decide not to remove the bullets from the legs of both horses because of the potential for causing further harm to the animals.

Police have ruled out the possibility of a hunting accident. "Three separate animals, two separate locations – that’s just too much of a coincidence to be an errant bullet," said LaPorte County Police Captain Mike Kellems. "We believe the animals were targeted.”

The horses and cow were in the pastures on farms adjacent to each other in the small community of Hudson Lake. John Vanek said he was 60 miles away in Crown Point for Thanksgiving when he called to check on his herd after the two horses on the farm adjacent to his were discovered shot.

He immediately drove back and found the steer lying on the side where it was shot close to its hind end. He said it was a struggle to keep the 700-pound steer that appeared to be in pain on the ground, while cleaning the wound and giving him a shot of penicillin to guard against infection.

"I was a little worried at first but he really acted well to the medication and the swelling is down,” Vanek added.

Currently, he has a half-dozen steer on his 60-acre spread, but at times has as many as 20. He’s a custom supplier of meat to individuals.

 Nearly four years ago, Vanek had close to 50 ducks and geese stolen from his farm all at once and since that was never solved, he hopes for a different outcome this time. “I’d like them to come forward and accept the responsibility of their actions,” he said.

 According to police, each of the horses suffered a single gunshot wound to one of their front legs. One of the wounded horses belongs to Michelle Gloss, who boards her two horses at the farm along the Indiana Toll Road.

Her horse developed a slight infection and despite a limp, is getting around good enough to be back out in the pasture with the other horses. She expects another follow-up visit or two with the veterinarian for x-rays and possible removal of the bullet, if doing so later is determined less risky.

"It's frustrating," Gloss said.

Without major leads, Kellems said it could very well take a tip from a citizen for having any chance of closing the books on the case. Anyone with information is asked to contact LaPorte County Police at 219-326-7700.