A Texas family was left devastated after their beloved pet pony was mysteriously shot to death in its head at point-blank range, according to reports.

The Brett family’s pony, named Chicken Nugget, was killed while inside of its pen in Liberty County in the middle of night early Wednesday, the family told the Houston Chronicle.

“There is no mistaking that they did it out of hatred,” Kylee Brett told the news outlet, adding that her and her husband’s 5-year-old daughter, Rylee, is heartbroken over the death.

Referring to her daughter, Brett said: “They grew up together, and Chicken Nugget was her first love.”

Police told the Houston Chronicle that Liberty County Game Warden Jake Noxon is looking into the case.

No arrests have been made.

The Brett family lives on a ranch in Hull, Texas, and the pony was in its pen at Brett’s father-in-law’s home when the incident occurred.

When Brett’s father-in-law. John, woke up Wednesday morning to check on Chicken Nugget, the animal was dead, according to the report.

“Really, all we want is some kind of justice,” Kylee said.