5-month-old steer found burned at Paso Robles High barn

Paso Robles police are investigating an animal cruelty case in which a steer was burned at the Paso Robles High School agricultural barn.

Police received the report at 8:05 a.m. Saturday after the owner of the 5-month-old steer visited the animal at the barn to feed it and found that it had been burned. The animal suffered significant burns but is expected to survive, said Lt. Tim Murphy.

Police believe that someone entered the barn between 4:30 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. Saturday and set fire to the animal for unknown reasons. The steer is owned by a student at the school who is a member of the National FFA Organization.

Evidence was found at the scene, which is being analyzed as part of the investigation. Anyone with information about this crime is urged to call Crime Stoppers at 549-7867 or submit a tip at the website www.slotips.org. A cash reward of up to $2,000 is available.

This story was originally published October 28, 2013 at 3:54 PM with the headline "5-month-old steer found burned at Paso Robles High barn."