Hank Silverberg, wtop.com
CHANTILLY, Va. – Concern is growing at a popular Virginia park after a second incident where farm animals were injured.
A $7,500 reward – raised from private sources – has been offered information that leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for stabbing three horses, a calf, some goats and a chicken in two separate incidents at Frying Pan Park in Fairfax County.
The horses, used as therapy animals at a riding center, were stabbed in April while at their barn at Frying Pan Park. One month later, the other animals were attacked at a different barn in the park.
Fairfax County Police spokesperson Lucy Caldwell says they are taking this case very seriously.
“We do want to keep this case alive and in the public eye,” she says.
Caldwell spoke at a news conference at the park where Henry, the two-month-old calf slashed in the second attack, was being bottle fed.
The park has more than 300,000 visitors a year. The Fairfax County Park Authority is worried that people will stay away, but Rosa Cox, who was at the park with her two children, was more worried about the animals. She says the incident will not keep them away.
Christine Vaudo was also at the park with her kids on Monday. She says she had not heard about the second attack.
“I’m a little bit concerned, but hopefully they are addressing the issues and keep (the animals) safe,” Vaudo says.
She has enjoyed the park for years and says she doesn’t plan on changing that. Both her children attend a day camp that operates at the park on West Ox Road.
Henry the calf seemed happy with all the attention. He now has staples in the top of his head where he was injured.
Security has been stepped up at the park but police and Part Authority spokesperson Judy Pederson would not go into specifics.
She says the barn where the animals are kept has to be left unlocked because of the possibility of a fire.
Police are asking anyone with information on the attacks to call Crime Solvers at 866-411-8477 or text TIP187.
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