Around 12:30 a.m. Saturday, someone shot into Alton Duncan's property in the Socastee community of Horry County killing his horse, Leo.
"It sounded like an assault rifle," said Alton. "We've been dealing with people shooting in the lot behind my house for sometime now."
The stray bullet hit Leo in the stomach on his left side, puncturing his kidney and intestines, said Alton.
"That horse was in so much pain," said Alton's wife, Carolyn. "I wish whoever shot Leo was here to see what that horse suffered through."
A veterinarian came to treat Leo on Saturday but could not locate the bullet. Leo died Saturday, the day after his birthday, said Alton.
This isn't the first time stray bullets have caused problems in Horry County.
In February, residents in the Dunn Acres community complained when a group of people set up a firing range in a vacant lot near their homes.
The Dunn Acres community is off of Highway 544 in an unincorporated part of Horry County near Conway about 10 miles away from Alton's neighborhood.
Right now, there are no restrictions on where you can shoot a gun in the unincorporated parts of Horry County.
Earlier this month, county council passed a resolution to better enforce laws already in place in the unincorporated areas. Those existing laws include the noise ordinance and public disorderly conduct.
Alton said he doesn't think a stronger law is needed.
"I don't want to take anyone's guns away," said Alton. "I just don't know what kind of person would do this. I had to watch my family suffer and my daughter cry for three days."
Alton filed a report with county police. Sergeant Robert Kegler said they are still investigating who shot Leo.
The police report says the responding officer received numerous "shots fired" complaints near the Duncan's property off of Folly Road. The officer said several anonymous callers stated they heard what sounded like an assault rifle.
The Duncan's buried Leo, a 15-year-old quarter horse, in their backyard.
The family owns two other horses, Diamond and Noah.
