Horse dies after suffering severe head injuries in ‘barbaric’ attack
An investigation is ongoing after a horse died after a horrific attack in Leicestershire earlier this month.
The owners found the filly, a two-year-old chestnut cob called Honey, with serious injuries in her field in Potters Lane, Syston, on Monday 7 September.
According to police the horse had her head “seriously mutilated” in the attack. She died as a result of her injuries.
Three other horses in the field were unhurt.
Owner Claire Watts, who is a McTimony practictioner, told local press that the attack was “barbaric”.
“I could not believe what I was seeing,” she said.
The horse’s right ear plus part of the right side of her face had been cut off. There were also lacerations across her body.
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Although pictures of the wounds were posted on social media following the incident, H&H has decided they are too graphic to publish.
The incident is believed to have taken place sometime between 6.15pm on Sunday 6 September and 10.30am on Monday 7 September.
A 28-year-old man was arrested on Wednesday 9 September in connection with the incident, but was subsequently released with no further action taken.
A spokesman for Leicestershire police today (Friday, 18 September) confirmed to H&H that no further leads had been found, but that a joint investigation with the RSPCA was ongoing.
A spokesman for the RSPCA told H&H that a post-mortem examination was carried out and tests are continuing.
She added: “This was a very distressing incident where a horse was killed and endured a vicious attack.
“Anyone who knows or saw anything, no matter how small it might seem, is urged to contact police.
“We are assisting Leicestershire Police in investigating this incident.”
H&H contacted Ms Watts but received no response.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the police on 101. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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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.