Owners in the southwest have been urged to be vigilant after a horse was shot in the head with a nail gun in a “nasty” and apparently motiveless attack.
Avon and Somerset Police have put out an appeal for information on the shooting, in Foxcote, near Radstock, Somerset, last month.
The horse was in a field between Green Street and Single Hill when it was shot, at some time between 4.30pm on Saturday, December 28 and 2.30pm on the Sunday.
(Image credit: Tom Wright)
A vet was called to treat the horse, removing a nail 50mm long from its head.
Police said the horse is recovering but “has suffered scarring”.
Police community support officer Mike Storey, from the Avon and Somerset Police neighbourhood team, said: “This was a nasty attack on an animal, with no apparent motive.
“Thankfully incidents of this nature are rare, but we would urge horse owners in the area to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to police.”
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Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call police on 101 and quote reference number 5220004702, or contact the force on its website.
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Eleanor is an experienced journalist who spent over eight years working for local and national newspapers before joining H&H as news editor in March 2016. Passionate about equine welfare and exposing the truth, Eleanor has reported on all aspects of the industry, from Brexit to anti-bullying campaigns, and from dressage rules to mules. Her sport of choice is showjumping, in which she competes her own horses, and she also enjoys reporting at local jumping shows through to international championships.
