By AMY JONES / Associate Editor

COLUMBIANA — The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in solving two animal cruelty cases.

On Aug. 7, two black Angus cows were shot and killed between the hours of 3-6 p.m., while they were confined to a pasture located on Alabama 25 across from Washboard Road in Columbiana, according to a sheriff’s office press release.

Due to the time of day the crime occurred and its proximity to Alabama 25, sheriff’s deputies believe someone may have witnessed or heard the crime.

The sheriff’s office is also seeking help in solving an August 2012 case where ten cows were shot and killed in the 3400 block of Shelby County 56 in Wilsonville.

Anyone with information about either crime is urged to contact the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office at 669-4181, through the secret witness line at 669-9116 or through the website at ShelbySO.com by clicking on the “Report Criminal Activity” link and choosing the “General Information” category.