An horrific attack on a pony left her with six cigarettes burns and a staple fired into one of the wounds.
Owner Karris Reeves, 20, discovered 16-year-old Penny’s shocking injuries on the morning of January 20, at the family-owned stables in Hooton.
The RSPCA has launched an investigation into the senseless attack on the Welsh section B mare.
Karris said: “When I first saw the marks, I looked around to see if there was anything in her stable that she might have hurt herself on. I sent pictures to my mum, who forwarded them to the vet.
“In the back of my mind, I thought they looked like burns but I didn’t want to think about that.
“The vet confirmed they were burns and found a staple in one of the wounds when she was checking them.
“Now she can’t get close enough to me and my family, but she’s just really uneasy with other people and backs away from them.
“I have lost a lot of faith in the human race. I just think what sort of person must you be to even think to do that?
“I don’t feel like my horses are safe there anymore. They’ve ruined our nice idyllic place.”
Penny, who is just under 12.1hh, is recovering well from her injuries but is no longer stabled at night for fear of future attacks.
RSPCA animal welfare officer John Littlewood said: “This poor pony must have been in so much pain as a result of this terrible act of cruelty.
“Fortunately, the wounds can be treated – but I cannot believe that someone has done this to an innocent animal and for no other apparent reason than being cruel.
“Penny is recovering well – and I now want to hear from anyone who has any information regarding this incident.
“Penny was the only pony being stabled overnight – and she is kept in quite an isolated area – so whoever had gone there had gone there with the intention of causing her misery.”
Animal charity PETA is offering a reward of up to £1,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for causing the injuries.
PETA spokesperson Ben Williamson said: “It is imperative that any community faced with the abuse of animals take measures to find the culprit or culprits and stop the violence.
“Animal abusers are a danger to everyone – they take their issues out on whomever is available to them, human or non-human.”
Anyone with any information regarding this or knows who caused this poor pony these injuries please call the RSPCA inspector line on confidence on 0300 123 8018.
