Fifth horse injured in new attack

There have been several similar incidents across the UK

A fifth horse has been attacked weeks after four others were slashed as they roamed paddocks near Bonnybridge.

The animal's genitals were cut in a field in the Dunipace area on Friday night.

Central Scotland Police have appealed for anyone with information about the attacks to come forward.

The incident comes after the owners of a horse in Bonnybridge had the animal destroyed because of the injuries it received in a similar attack.

The attacks have left horse owners in the area afraid.

We do not know if this is the work of some kind of cult who are doing this in the lead up to the summer solstice Livery yard worker

One woman, who helps out at a livery yard in Bonnybridge and did not want to be named for fear of prompting further attacks, told the BBC Scotland news website: "People are very upset and are camping out in the fields to try and protect their horses.

"This is not unheard of in Britain. We do not know if this is the work of some kind of cult who are doing this in the lead up to the summer solstice.

"We have heard that some people will cut animal's genitals in the run up to the solstice as a way of boosting fertility but we have no proof."

Insp Paul Fleming of Central Scotland Police said: "This is the first time in my 26 years I have come across anything like this and it is really sad, insensitive and cruel.

"It took some time for the owner to catch the horse as it was really frightened after what had happened to it.

"We have increased patrols in the area and as a result a number of lines of inquiry are being followed.

"We urge owners to be vigilant and to report anything suspicious to us."