Pony with cut throat found dumped

RSPCA inspectors believe the horse was probably kept in a field

The body of a young pony has been found by the roadside in Surrey with her throat cut and legs bound with rope.

RSPCA inspectors said the pony was probably killed elsewhere before being dumped at the junction of Silkmore Lane and Ripley Lane, in West Horsley.

The bay coloured filly, which had a white marking on her head and white feet, was underweight.

Insp Michelle Hare said: "It is likely that whoever allowed her to get into this state decided to finish her off."

'Barbaric killing'

She said: "Although there was some blood where the body was found, I would have expected more if the pony had been killed there.

"So she was probably killed elsewhere and then her feet were tied together to make it easier to move her.

"She was probably dumped from either a lorry or a trailer," she said.

It is thought the pony was aged between nine and 10 months old, and that she may have been kept in a field rather than in a stable, as she had a very woolly coat.

'No excuse'

The RSPCA was alerted by a member of the public on Thursday.

It is urging anyone who recognises the pony, or who may have noticed a lorry or similar vehicle parked at the side of the road, to come forward with information.

Insp Hare said: "There is never any excuse for treating an animal in such a barbaric way.

"If people have ponies which they are struggling to care for, for whatever reason, then help and advice is available from a number of organisations, including the RSPCA."

Anyone found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal faces a maximum £20,000 fine and/or six months in prison.