DEERFIELD No cause found for death of family pet

According to the autopsy, Eddy's liver was lacerated, and he had eaten about four hours before he died.
By MARALINE KUBIK
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
DEERFIELD -- Autopsy results indicate that a miniature horse found dead near Berlin Lake last month was not beaten to death.
"The report says he wasn't beaten to death and there is no known cause or reason for his death," said Joyce Adams.
She and her husband, Tim, bought the 3-year-old black horse, known as Eddy, for their grandchildren after seeing him at this year's Canfield Fair.
Eddy turned up missing from their pasture Oct. 28 and is believed to have been stolen. His bruised and bleeding body was discovered by a man walking his dog almost a week later.
According to the autopsy, Eddy's liver was lacerated, Adams said, and he had eaten about four hours before he died. "It was grain, not field corn, so somebody had been feeding him for six days," she added.
The autopsy also indicated that Eddy had been dead 12 to 24 hours before his body was discovered.
Toxicology tests would indicate if Eddy had been poisoned, Adams said, but she and her family chose not to go forward with those tests because they would cost more than $1,000.
Reward offered
The Portage County Animal Protective League is still investigating and the family is offering a cash reward to anyone providing information that leads to conviction. Thus far, friends and family have donated about $7,000 toward the reward.
Meanwhile, the Adams family has installed security lights to help keep their new pet safe. Silver Hawk, a 7-month old miniature horse, is a gift from Chas and Pam Martin of Dalton, Ohio. They gave the little horse to the Adams family after learning about Eddy.
"Silver Hawk is a doll baby," Adams said. "The children just love him."
kubik@vindy.com