Foster Police searching for suspect accused of striking a horse and leaving the scene

FOSTER, R.I. (WLNE) — The Foster Police Department said detectives are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying a suspect and his vehicle after he allegedly struck a horse and left the scene on July 3.

According to police, the suspect allegedly struck a domesticated horse around 2 a.m. on Danielson Pike near Village Gas Station.

Surveillance video showed the suspect looking for damage to his vehicle and taking photos of the horse, which police said was severely injured.

The driver then allegedly left the scene and did not contact police.

Police were made aware of the incident after receiving a call from another driver around 3 a.m. who reported striking the horse.

Through surveillance video, police discovered the horse had been struck prior to that call.

According to police, the horse sustained its severe injuries when it was hit by the suspect between 2 and 2:30 a.m..

At 3:30 a.m., the horse was humanely euthanized.

Foster police Chief Gina-Marie Lindell told ABC6 there is a person of interest and her department is working with Connecticut State Police and local Connecticut police to positively identify the subject and the suspect vehicle.

“I know people are passionate about things like this,” Lindell said. “I just hope that the gentleman that struck this animal and severely injured it to where it had to be euthanized steps forward and we can put this investigation to rest.”

She said the horse had escaped from its enclosure nearby before the crash.

The department is asking anyone with information to call Foster police at 401-397-3317.