Pony found dead in field with seven stab wounds

A SHETLAND pony was found stabbed to death in a field yesterday morning.

The animal was discovered by neighbours of its owner in Broxburn, West Lothian. Police Scotland were alerted to the attack at 11am yesterday.

The pony, named Pepper, was found in its paddock behind Roman Camp Cottages in the town.

A family friend of the owner posted online: ‘My friend’s mum’s Shetland pony has been stabbed to death. Someone/ people have done this either last night or early hours of this morning.’

She added: ‘As you can imagine, the whole family are distraught. My friend’s mum is waiting on the police coming out to give a full statement. The s**m who has done this needs to be caught.’

Pepper’s owners, Thomas Ullathorne and Sarah-Jane Haston, posted an appeal on social media last night, saying Pepper was stabbed ‘seven times’.

The post read: ‘Early this morning our good friend Pepper was murdered not 100 metres from our village. He had seven stab wounds to his left flank and probably more on the side he fell.

‘We are sad as our kids have been up to visit him since they were born. We are raging that anyone could have done anything like this to a citizen of Roman Camps.

‘The police have cordoned off the crime scene and are taking this seriously. I worry about the psychology of someone who could carry out such an attack.’

A police spokesman said: ‘Around 11am on Monday, a Shetland Pony was found dead in a field behind Roman Camp Cottages, Broxburn.

‘Inquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.’