FOUR Perth-based men have been arrested after an investigation into the shooting of five horses in the Goldfields this year.
The horses were shot on the night of January 24 on private property in Leinster, more than 950km north-east of Perth and more than 370km north of Kalgoorlie.
The men were allegedly travelling in three vehicles around 10.30pm on the night when they saw the group of horses and allegedly shot the horses before driving off.
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READ NOWTwo of the horses died instantly, while three others received critical injuries. They were ex-racehorses and kept as pets by their owner.
A 22 year-old Pinjarra man, a 20 year-old Bassendean man and a 22 year-old Waroona man have each been charged with criminal damage and unlawfully discharging a firearm from a road.
They are due to appear before Leonora Magistrates Court on April 16.
Meanwhile, a 21 year-old Waroona man has been charged with permitting possession of a firearm to a person without a licence or permit.
He will appear before Leonora Magistrates Court on May 14.