The police and RSPCA are appealing for information after a colt was found dumped alive on a pile of fly-tipped rubbish with a broken neck.
A member of the public alerted the animal welfare charity after spotting the coloured horse by the side of the road in Meadow Lane, Shirebrook, Derbyshire on Tuesday night (November 22).
The piebald cob, who had been left in a pile of bathroom fittings and rubbish, died of his injuries before a vet or RSPCA officer was able to attend.
“Unfortunately, as our nearest on-call officer was 80 miles away dealing with another emergency, we requested that police send officers to the scene and, as well as giving advice over the phone, also urged them to contact a vet to attend and see to the horse urgently,” an RSPCA spokesperson said.
“We believe he had suffered from a broken neck.”
The scene was investigated by an RSPCA officer on Wednesday morning (23 November) when the local council also removed the body of the horse, who was not microchipped.
RSPCA officer Deborah Scotcher said abandoning the horse with such severe injuries was an “unthinkable” act.
“This poor little pony was dumped among the rubbish by the side of the road without a second glance,” she said.
“He was clearly very badly injured. He couldn’t get to his feet and must have been very frightened.
“It is despicable to abandon an animal in any circumstances but particularly disgusting to do so in its hour of need.
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“Any reasonable person would have sought immediate veterinary attention for this horse to ensure he did not suffer needlessly.”
She added that anyone who knows where the pony came from or saw anything suspicious in the Meadow Lane area on Tuesday night should contact the inspector appeal line on 0300 123 8018.
