Another stallion found dead and mutilated in third ‘attack’

The body of another dead and mutilated stallion has been found in what appears to be the third horrific attack in less than two weeks.

Sammy, an 11.2hh Welsh/Arab pony, was found dead in his field near Whitstone, Devon on Saturday (14 January).

Owner Tanya Ingram told H&H Sammy was missing his right eye, left eyelid and his tongue and genitals had been cut. He was three years old and she was intending on breeding from him.

But spokesman from the RSPCA told H&H: “No foul play is suspected and the injuries are thought to have been inflicted post mortem.”

Devon and Cornwall Police told H&H “this is not a crime” and that he died of “natural causes” – but the owners are unconvinced.

“It does not look like natural causes to me,” Ms Ingram told H&H. “He was fit and well. And the cuts were so clean it doesn’t appear to have been animals. His penis was cut off. We’re just so shocked, it’s so distressing.”

She has 12 other horses on the site. Sammy was the only stallion, and none of the others were harmed.

Last week a two-year-old stallion called Erik was found mutilated near Truro, Cornwall, and on 5 January a seven-year-old stallion Barney was found slashed in Carmarthenshire. Dyfed Powys Police have closed the case, but Barney’s owners also remain convinced it was not a natural death due to the nature of the wounds.

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