Pony owner's trauma over theft

Shirley Webb says all of her remaining ponies are traumatised.

The owner of four miniature Shetland ponies stolen from their paddock has spoken of her devastation at the theft.

Shirley Webb broke down in tears as she described how thieves got through two locked gates to reach the ponies at her home in Sandy Lane, Horspath, Oxford.

The ponies included a 14-year-old mare called QT, plus fillies Jenny, four, Eden, 10, and Breeze, aged three.

Mrs Webb said: "I can't really believe it. I don't understand the mentality of taking these little horses."

The theft happened between 1900 BST on Saturday and 0800 BST on Sunday.

'Frightened'

Mrs Webb, 69, said she discovered the ponies had gone when she noticed the gates and one of the stables open, and a pony with its foal out in the field.

"I thought 'that's funny, I'm sure I put them away'," she said. "Then I heard Cilla, another Shetland, crying with a thing around her neck tied very, very tightly. She is lame and she was in that field.

"All the ponies are traumatised. They are all frightened and they are wondering where their friends are. I don't see any sense in this."

Pc Sarah Phillips, of Thames Valley Police, said: "The owner has been left traumatised by this incident.

"I would like to hear from anyone that may have seen any suspicious people or vehicles in the area at the time."