Miniature horse’s owner says ‘things don’t add up’

A miniature horse, believed to have been stolen late February, was found dead with a broken neck, its owner has revealed.

Hawk, a two-year-old palomino pinto gelding, went missing from a paddock on Nugent St, Bell Block, around February 21 and owner Ayla Mcgowan reported it to police, believing the animal had been taken.

On Sunday, Mcgowan confirmed the death and yesterday posted to Facebook saying that when found Hawk’s neck was broken.

‘‘Yes Hawk has been found deceased. No, he was not in his paddock. His neck was broken and I do not believe it was an accident.’’

Mcgowan said she did not have all the answers and still believed there was an element of foul play.

‘‘I understand everyone wants to know what happened but I will never 100 per cent know. Things don’t add up and that’s all I can say.’’

Mcgowan said she understood the horse’s death had been publicised but the loss of her beloved pony ‘‘hurt like hell’’.

‘‘I am human with a huge heart and this loss has hit me like a tonne of bricks. It is too much to bare. I thank everyone from the bottom of my heart. Hawk and I appreciated the search to unfortunately lay him to rest.’’

When the horse first disappeared a police spokesperson confirmed in an emailed statement that a report had been made.

‘‘Police attended and conducted forensic inquiries,’’ the statement said. ‘‘Unfortunately, at this time there are no further lines of inquiry; however if anyone has any information they can contact police.’’