‘Heartbreak’ at pony’s death

A horse owner has been left ‘heartbroken’ after one of her animals had to be put down, following what she believes was a deliberate attack.
George, horse who had to be put down after attack in PulboroughGeorge, horse who had to be put down after attack in Pulborough
George, horse who had to be put down after attack in Pulborough

Zoe Walker said the pony, called George, was discovered in a field in Blackgate Lane, Pulborough, on Wednesday September 10.

An electric fence line was wrapped tightly around George’s left fore and hind legs.

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A vet attended to George, but his injuries were irreparable and he was put down days later.

JPCT 290914 S14410161x  Blackgate Lane, Pulborough. A horse had to be put down and the owners believe it was attacked. Zoe Walker -photo by Steve Cobb SUS-140929-154804001JPCT 290914 S14410161x  Blackgate Lane, Pulborough. A horse had to be put down and the owners believe it was attacked. Zoe Walker -photo by Steve Cobb SUS-140929-154804001
JPCT 290914 S14410161x Blackgate Lane, Pulborough. A horse had to be put down and the owners believe it was attacked. Zoe Walker -photo by Steve Cobb SUS-140929-154804001

Zoe and Luke Welfare, who together run Soul Equestrian at Scrase Farm, believe that someone was responsible for an attack on the horse.

Zoe said: “It had cut the blood supply off, so the vet was more worried about infection.

“No one had any idea the damage had already been caused until a few days later when there was no blood supply getting to his foot.

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“I bought him when he was 18 months old and fell in love with him straight away - it is heartbreaking.”

George was aged just two and a half at the time of his death.

Zoe said: “At first we thought it was just an unfortunate accident where George had got himself tangled up in the fence.

“However, the number of times that the fence line was wrapped around each foot aroused our suspicions and we called the police.”

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The pair believe that George was targeted in a deliberate attack.

Zoe added: “Whether it was just a coincidence or we were just unlucky, I don’t know.

“You don’t think it would ever happen to you.”

PC Jonny Walker said: “There’s no apparent reason why this horse or these stables should have been targeted in this isolated incident, but we would like to hear from anyone who has any information about the incident or who has experienced anything similar.

“Blackgate Lane is fairly remote, but were you around the area at any time from late afternoon or overnight on Monday, September 8 and if so did you see anything suspicious?”

Police are appealing for witnesses. Anyone with information can contact police by sending an email to [email protected] or calling 101 quoting serial 1096 of 18/09.