Event rider’s horse slashed in ‘callous’ knife attack

Police are warning owners to be extra vigilant after a “nasty and callous” knife attack on a pregnant horse.

Peanuts was slashed with a sharp blade near her stomach and behind her back legs at Coleshill near Farringdon in Oxfordshire between 6pm last Thursday (5 March) and 8am the next morning.

Both she and her foal survived the attack and police are now appealing for witnesses — and warning owners to be more cautious.

Owner Paul Tapner told the BBC website: “The vet thinks it’s a deliberate act because it’s not an injury she’d have picked up in the field.

“The police think it could be someone out for revenge, but none of us can think of anyone we’ve upset.

“They have said it could be the start of a spate of things because in the past, when this sort of thing happens, it tends to happen to more than one horse in the region, which is slightly worrying.”

PC Louise Russell, of Thames Valley Police, said: “This is a nasty, callous act where a horse has been deliberately injured.

“Luckily the horse and the foal both survived the attack.

“I appeal to anyone who might have seen suspicious activity in the area to contact me and urge horse owners to be aware that this incident has happened and to take extra care of their horses at this time.”

Anyone with information which could help the police should contact PC Louise Russell at Wantage police station on 0845 8 505 505, or if you don’t want to talk to the police or give your name, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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