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A Gillette, Wyoming family is seeking answers and advocating for responsible pet ownership after two loose dogs invaded their residential property and viciously attacked their five-year-old palomino horse, Selah, on Wednesday afternoon.
Cowboy State Daily reported on the violent encounter and the subsequent local authorities’ response on October 16, 2026.
The disturbing incident unfolded between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. when property owner Luke Sheehan stepped outside to take out the trash.
Hearing an alarming commotion near the animal corral, he investigated and discovered two roaming dogs—one reddish-brown and the other black-and-white—aggressively chasing the family’s horses.
The relentless pursuit forced Selah out of her designated enclosure. The frightened animal either leaped over a panel or managed to squeeze under a roughly 20-foot unpaneled section of fencing along the road, where she was cornered and subjected to multiple bites.
When Sheehan shouted at the marauding animals, the dogs fled, allowing him to retrieve a halter, catch the panicked horse, and secure her safely back inside the pasture. Selah sustained visible bite wounds across her face, chest, and both front legs.
Fortunately, the horse’s owner, Clare Sheehan, is a professional veterinarian who operates Sheehan Equine Dental & Chiropractic alongside her husband. Utilizing their medical expertise, the couple was able to administer immediate veterinary treatment directly at home.
They administered a booster shot for rabies and thoroughly cleaned and treated the lacerations.
While initial evaluations indicate that Selah’s joints have escaped infection—a major concern in equine bite cases—veterinary professionals know that joint complications can develop weeks later, requiring vigilant ongoing observation.
Meanwhile, the Gillette Police Department confirmed that local animal control is actively handling the investigation into the roving dogs, though the canine owners have not yet been identified.
My thoughts:
- Roving domestic dogs frequently exhibit a pack mentality that can instantly transform normally docile pets into aggressive predators capable of terrorizing livestock.
- Maintaining complete, reinforced fencing infrastructure along rural and semi-rural property lines is critical for safeguarding large animals against outside intruders.
- Responsible pet ownership demands strict adherence to leash laws and secure containment systems to prevent dangerous wildlife and livestock encounters.
- Immediate veterinary intervention, including thorough wound cleansing and rabies booster administration, is essential to mitigate infection risks following animal bites.
Source: Cowboy State Daily (Emma Jane Jackson) and Gillette Police Department
