Police in search for horse attacker
9:47am Thursday 28th August 2008
A HORSE rescued from abusive owners has been cut in the face by a scissor-wielding intruder.
Horse owners have been told to be on their guard following a spate of attacks throughout the county.
The warnings come after two ponies near Bromyard were attacked 12 days after a similar incident near Ross-on-Wye.
The mane of a 10-year-old Welsh Cob was cut off and left at the scene, while another suffered an L-shaped cut on the neck.
Forensic experts are investigating a pair of scissors left at the yard, near Upper Sapey.
The ponies’ owner Amy Jones said the animals were very traumatised and is appealing for information.
“When we arrived in the morning we heard them galloping around – normally they’re very placid so we knew something was wrong,” she said. “Then we saw that Danny Boy had his mane cut off.”
The second horse, Abbey, was rescued by Bromyard-based horse charity, EMW (Equine Market Watch) last December from a meat lorry near Abergavenny.
Miss Jones, an EMW trustee, believes the attacker ran after the Welsh Cob reacted.
“We suspect they went to cut her mane but because of her history she only really trusts us,” she said.
“She probably reacted and that’s why she was only cut, and why the scissors were left behind.”
According to West Mercia police and Horse Watch – an equine version of Neighbourhood Watch – a further three horses grazing at Upton Bishop had their manes cut off earlier this month.
Again, the culprit left the manes at the scene, but did not injure the horses.
“It would be fair to say we are looking at the similarities between these two cases,” said Pete Butcher, police press officer.
Anyone with information can call police on 08457 444888. For more details on Horse Watch, call 07794 453911.