Hit and run foal found with severe burns
A foal has been found staggering in a road with burns to 90 percent of his face and body.
The three-month-old colt was found in Braintree, Essex, earlier this month (10 July).
He had suffered other injuries that the RSPCA believes to have been caused by a hit and run vehicle incident.
A member of the public found Murphy, as the youngster is now known, and put him in a nearby horsebox and kept him safe until the RSPCA arrived.
“Poor Murphy was in a sorry state when I arrived to collect him,” said RSPCA inspector Sam Garvey.
“Not only was he suffering with suspected hit and run injuries, he also had very nasty burns to his face and body. We do not know exactly what caused these burns — but we think it was some external cause.”
Murphy was taken Catley Cross Veterinary Clinic in Halstead, Essex, where he received treatment for his burns and injuries.
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He will be moved to RSPCA Millbrook, a specialist equine centre next week where he will continue to be cared for.
“So far no owner has come forward and we are urgently seeking information about Murphy’s mum, who is no doubt extremely stressed to be without her foal,” added inspector Garvey.
“It is not yet known who owns Murphy, as well as who was driving the vehicle that hit him, and who inflicted the burns,”
Anyone with further information about this incident can call the RSPCA inspector appeal line in confidence on 0300 123 8018.
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Rachael joined Horse & Hound in 2014, initially as a digital sub editor then became part of the news team as a writer in 2015. The philosophy graduate studied journalism at the Press Association before working as a local reporter at the Brentwood Gazette. Rachael is now a mum of two and still loves all things equestrian, including hacking, dressage and jumping with her cob Bert. Rachael left the H&H staff to go freelance in June 2019, but still contributes to our magazine and website, as well as our sister magazine Country Life, among others.