ORONO – A reward is being offered for information regarding the person responsible for sexually assaulting a female horse at a UM research farm last week.

“Through private funds, the University of Maine is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the identification and apprehension of the person responsible,” Chief Noel March of UM’s department of public safety said Thursday. The donor of the reward wishes to remain anonymous.

Farm staff discovered a 20-year-old mare lying on the floor of her stall on the morning of Monday, Aug. 5. The horse had been assaulted sometime during the night. “A foreign object had been forcibly inserted into the horse’s reproductive organs with enough force to cause internal damage and bleeding,” March said. Officials are still not releasing information about the object that was used.

“The case continues to be a top priority for UM police,” the police chief said.

If caught, the attacker will be charged with cruelty to animals, a misdemeanor charge, March said. The crime is punishable by up to a $1,000 fine and-or one year in jail.

Based on his experience, the police chief views this as a sex crime and feels the individual responsible is emotionally disturbed and planned the attack.

“Local and university police along with Witter Farm staff are maintaining extra vigilance and practicing increased security measures, and will do so for some time to come,” March said.

The mare is a privately owned animal boarded at the Franklin J. Witter Teaching and Research Farm. The horse was kept in an unlocked barn, which is kept open for health and safety purposes. The names of the horse and its owner are still not being released. March said the horse’s condition is improving, and she is expected to recover.

Although police continue to follow through on current leads, they are still seeking additional information and help from the public that will allow them to identify the person responsible, according to the police chief.

Anyone with information regarding suspicious people or activity that may relate to this incident is encouraged to contact Sgt. Chris Gardner at UM’s department of public safety at 581-4040.

UM police also welcome tips through Campus Eyes, a page on the UM police Web site that allows users to submit information anonymously. The page can be reached by visiting www.ume.maine.edu/~pubsafe and clicking on Campus Eyes.