Mason County, Ky., law enforcement authorities are seeking whoever is responsible for shooting and killing a horse while it grazed in its pasture.

Mason County Sheriff's Department Deputy Adam Gill said the animal's owners found the 24-year-old horse lying dead in its pasture on Feb. 23. The animal had sustained five gunshot wounds to its body and one to its neck.

“This does not appear to be a hunting accident,” Gill said.

The incident remains under investigation, he said