Shetland ponies are attacked with bottle and eggs

The rescue animals were injured in the attack

TWO Shetland ponies were attacked with a bottle and pelted with eggs and stones in Hinckley.

The ponies, Miss Juliet, 10, and five-year-old Prince were attacked in a field last weekend.

Miss Juliet was left with cuts on her face and a swollen cheek. Both injuries are believed to have been caused by a bottle, which was found nearby.

Prince suffered a fractured nose when, it is believed, a chair was thrown at him.

Both animals were pelted with eggs and stones, owners Brian and Donna Poole said.

The couple, who care for a number of rescued animals, made their regular trip to the field, in Harwood Drive, on Saturday morning and became alarmed when they spotted blood on Miss Juliet’s nose.

As they examined both ponies, they realised the sadistic and prolonged nature of the attack, which they believe happened only a few hours earlier.

Mr Poole said: “We can’t imagine what kind of sick per- son would attack defenceless animals in this horrible, sadistic way.

“We’re still very shaken and haven’t had much sleep.

“When we went down on Saturday we saw some bottles and beer cans but we didn’t think anything of it at first because we’ve seen these things here before.

“But then we saw that the mare had blood on her face and she had a couple of cuts from her eye and down her nose.

“The cut was caused by a bottle, which we found nearby.

“Her cheek is also very swollen, so we think she has been punched or hit somehow.

“As far as we can tell, a chair was thrown at Prince and he has a fractured nose.

“We are horsey people and we’ve heard stories of animals being attacked in this way, stabbed or even sexually abused.

“It’s just horrific that anyone could do this, they are dangerous and need to be caught.”

The couple reported the attacks to Leicestershire Police, who have urged the public to help its officers trace the offender or offenders.

A force spokesman said: “We’re investigating a report of two Shetland ponies being attacked in some fields in Harwood Drive, Hinckley.

“The incident took place some time between 1.30pm on Friday, May 18 and 10am on Saturday, May 19. A glass bottle was used in the incident and one of the ponies sustained cuts.

“Anyone who witnessed the incident or saw anyone hanging around the fields on Friday or Saturday, between the times of the incident, is asked to contact 101.”

It’s just horrific that anyone could do this, they are dangerous