Horse dies after horrific attack in Aberdeenshire
A horse has died after reportedly being stabbed and sexually attacked in Aberdeenshire.
Police Scotland told H&H they are investigating after a 23-year-old horse was injured in the Maud area, near Peterhead.
Blaze (pictured, top) was put down on Monday night (17 August).
Owners believe the attack happened between 9pm on Sunday (16 August) and 8pm on Monday (17 August). They also suggest she had been sexually violated.
“Enquiries are ongoing to establish what has happened to the horse but I would appeal directly to any neighbours or residents in the area who may have seen anything unusual or suspicious in the days before this happened,” said Detective Inspector Norman Stevenson of Police Scotland.
“As a result of this cruel act a horse has died and a family have now lost a much-loved animal.”
The pony’s owner Zoe Wright wrote on Facebook: “Someone came into my horse’s field and stabbed my beautiful old girl Blaze twice in the chest before sexually violating her. Blaze was put to sleep after succumbing to her injuries.
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“My lovely Blaze was the nicest pony, she has been part of our family for 18 years, the complete low-life scum who did this to her needs to face justice for what they have done.”
She is now offering a £1,000 reward to anyone with information that leads to an arrest.
Detective Inspector Stevenson added that the police have not received reports of any similar incidents, but urged owners to keep a close eye on their horses.
“Patrols are carried out frequently in rural areas but we do rely on residents, land owners and people who work in the area to contact us to report anything unusual or suspicious,” he added.
Anyone with information should contact Police Scotland on 101.
Alternatively contact 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.