That’s a very sad image, and reminded me of this quite well-known painting, titled “Goodbye Old Man” as a soldier says farewell to his dying horse:
It also reminded me of an extract in Field Marshal Alanbrooke’s diaries, during the early part of WW2 and the retreat from France. Brooke was then a Corps Commander:
“On returning to my château to pick up some papers I was met by Ciriez, our French Liaison officer. He was in an infuriated condition and livid with rage . He informed me that a squadron of French cavalry had entered the château grounds and commenced to shoot their horses and to throw their arms into the moat of the château.”
I admit to being a bit of a softie when it comes to animals.