Cattle shot, mutilated in Gem County

BOISE (AP) - The Idaho Department of Agriculture is investigating two incidents of cattle shootings in Gem County.

Brand Inspector Lynn Gibson says three calves were shot with a small-caliber rifle around southwest of Emmett around April 12. One of the calves was run over by a pickup, The Idaho Statesman reported.

Gibson says a cow on the same ranch was shot and then its hind leg and shoulder were cut off, its lungs were removed and part of the cow's forehead was skinned.

Several days later, in the same area, a cow was shot in the face. The bullet broke both jawbones and Gibson says the cow had to be put down.

The cattle were valued around $5,000.

The Idaho Farm Bureau, The Idaho Cattlemen's Association and a rancher are offering a $3,000 reward for information about the shootings and mutilation.