Five reindeer die in shooting

BODENBURG BUTTE -- Friday morning at about 5:30 a.m. Alaska State Troopers were called to Reindeer Farm, at the home of Tom and Gene Williams after the Williams called to report someone on a snowmobile had been shooting at their fenced reindeer herd. Troopers are now asking the public for any information that might help locate the reindeer shooter.

"One [reindeer] was killed, four or five were injured and the troopers had to put one down. The vet did a necropsy on it and said that its spine was broken and it would have been paralyzed," Gene Williams said Friday.

Monday morning, Gene said three more reindeer had died, and two had been put down under the veterinarian's care. During the weekend the casualty count had risen to seven reindeer, five of which had died. The two survivors have been receiving antibiotics, Gene said.

Tom Williams reportedly chased the shooter around neighborhood streets and along the Old Glenn Highway after the shooting. Gene said her husband had come out of the shower Friday morning when he watched the snowmachine rider stop and shoot at the reindeer.

"Three out of these were pets and had been to Christmas parties and parades and all of the fun places that we take them to," Gene said Friday. "They were bottle babies when they were young -- they were pets."

The Williamses have received information about the shooting and forwarded it on to troopers. Troopers are encouraging anyone with information to call the Crime Stoppers tip line at 745-3333 or the Palmer trooper post at 745-2131.

Gene Williams said a reward fund is being set up. She also said the family has been receiving condolence calls and offers of help. Anyone who wishes to help Reindeer Farm can contact Wasilla Veterinary Clinic and help the farm with the un-expected veterinary bills, she said.

The family has no idea what could have motivated the shooter.

"This was just wanton waste -- just fun. You don't understand that kind of fun? I don't either," Gene said Friday.