Vandalized Hungry Horse statue getting new ears

Plans are underway to return the famed Hungry Horse statue to its former glory after vandals removed the ears from the structure.

Hungry Horse community members discovered their town mascot had been damaged on Monday. The Sheriff’s Office is seeking tips from anyone with information regarding the vandalism.

“We are guessing it took place sometime Sunday,” said Jennilee Burke, a founding member of the Canyon Community Group.

Burke said the community group has had an enormous response from community members with a fondness for the horse.

“People have a lot of good memories and have taken a lot of pictures with the horse,” she said.

The horse was built in 1955 at the original location of the Hungry Horse Corral, according to Burke. It now stands at the middle section of the county park in front of the fire station.

Craig Shafer, a Hungry Horse resident for more than five decades, said he’s already began repairing the statue. He is using reinforcement to rebuild the ears on the concrete structure. He said he hopes to have it finished in the next five days.

Burke said she’s very happy to hear the horse will get a new set of ears and will continue to be part of the Hungry Horse community.

“It’s the symbol of our town, so we would like it to be there forever if possible,” she said.

If you have any information regarding vandalism of the horse please report it to the Flathead County Sheriff’s Department at 752-TIPS.

Reporter Breeana Laughlin can be reached at 758-4441 or blaughlin@dailyinterlake.com.