Reward increased to $5K in horse abuse case

RENO (AP) - A reward has been increased to $5,000 for information leading to a conviction of the owner of a horse found loose in Nevada with the brand cut out of its hide.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Humane Society of the United States are offering the combined reward.

Equine advocates were outraged after the 21⁄2-year-old mare was found abandoned late last month near Round Mountain, about 235 miles southeast of Reno.

State agriculture officials say its brand was removed in a 6-by-8-inch patch from its left hip so the horse couldn't be traced to its owner.

They attribute a surge in the number of domestic horses abandoned in the wild this year in Nevada to the faltering economy.

The case is under investigation.