BIKER NEWS: Motorcycle Club Gives Miniature Horses to Patches' Family

BN- A motorcycle club donated two tiny horses to a local family whose pony was tortured, mutilated and left to die last month on a canal bank outside town.

“It was a horrendous crime,” Minidoka Sheriff Eric Snarr said at the time. The aging Shetland pony, Patches, had to be euthanized.

The loss of Patches “left a big hole in our family’s hearts,” wrote Daniela Lopez on her Facebook page.

In hopes of healing the family’s hearts, the Snake River Bros, a Twin-Falls based motorcycle club, roared up to the Lopez home Thursday evening with two miniature horses in tow.

The non-profit group’s mission is to help kids.

“I grew up with horses and I know what they mean to kids,” said club President Clint Tremelling.

The three young boys came out of their house covering their eyes knowing there was a surprise waiting for them in their front yard.

Their faces went blank when they saw the group of bikers waiting for them with Outlaw and Silk. Joy spread across their faces when their dad told them the horses were theirs to keep.

Bow Creek Minis, Valley Country Store and veterinarians Melinda Roche and Sid Erickson also contributed to the donation.

“Hows you guys hearts feel?” John “Lil Bro” Cantu Jr. asked the other bikers. “Because mine feels amazing.”
Outpouring of Support

Meanwhile, Patches will not be forgotten.



Ethan Lopez, 5, colored a drawing of a horse in school and gave it to his mother.

“He takes out this picture and says, ‘Look it’s another pony. His name is Junior,’” Daniela Lopez said. “...’See Mommy, this is so you won’t cry for Patches anymore. I miss him too.’”

The outpouring of support for the family has stunned Daniela and her husband, Hugo.

Some $45,000 has been donated or pledged to go toward a reward for the conviction of Patches’ abusers, who Snarr has vowed to catch.

Snarr’s office has received numerous tips, but so far the crime remains unsolved.

“We need to find the culprits before other kids get the same idea that it’s OK to maliciously destroy animals,” said Twin Falls resident Brenda Bolton.

Source: http://magicvalley.com/news/local/motorcycle-club-gives-miniature-horses-to-lopez-family/article_752277fd-a2ab-50db-8f14-28e9b214cfed.html