Authorities look for link between mustang killings and cow shootings

Rancher Ed Depoali of Fernley led a team of investigators Thursday into the Virginia Range to examine the carcasses of two of his cows killed two weeks ago.

A slug and several shell casings were recovered at the scene and taken to the Washoe County Crime Lab for examination.

Authorities began finding dead estray horses in the same area near Lockwood on Sunday. A reward of more than $35,000 has been offered in the deaths of the 34 horses.

The slaughter of the free-roaming mustangs is the worst in Nevada since several hundred were shot over a two-year period in the mid-1980s.

"We're following up on leads in the case and on phone calls we're receiving from the public about possible suspects," said Washoe County sheriff's Lt. Janice Lee. "I feel we've been getting some good leads."

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