Decapitated pony found on beach in Cornwall
The headless body of a pony has been found on a Cornish beach.
Devon and Cornwall police told H&H the decapitated pony was found on bank holiday Monday (7 May) on Pentewan beach, near St Austell.
The force was alerted by a member of the public at around 5pm.
According to police the head had been “severed” but they are unsure of how this happened.
Officers think the pony may have been dumped from a boat and injured by a propeller.
A wooden cross and a dead seagull had been put on the carcass, as well as the letters RIP written in the sand, but this is not thought to be connected to the animal’s death.
Devon and Cornwall police told H&H the case is not thought to be criminal and is now closed. No head has been found.
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A graduate of Exeter University, Amy joined our news team from Redpin Publishing in 2008 as news writer. She was promoted to deputy news editor in May 2013 and became news editor in April 2015. She left Horse & Hound in March 2016 to take up an editorial position in Dubai.