Post by christi on Mar 13, 2008 15:26:00 GMT 1
FAMILY SHOCKED BY STABBING OF HORSE
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JESSICA WILLIAMS
JESSICA.WILLIAMS@THESENTINEL.CO.UK
07:40 - 13 March 2008
Family members have been left devastated after their horse was stabbed to death during the night - six months after a pony was murdered at the same stables.
Persia, a palomino mare, was found on the floor of her stable at Springwood Road, Chesterton, at 7am on Tuesday, suffering from a single stomach wound.
The 16-year-old horse, found lying near a small amount of blood, had last been seen alive around 9pm the previous night.
Persia's owner Carol Hollins, aged 48, said a vet confirmed the horse had been stabbed.
Another horse was stabbed in the same stables last September, for which the culprits have never been found.
Ms Hollins, a mother-of-two, said: "It is too much of a coincidence. I feel sickened. Persia was a lovely horse and part of the family.
"You do not expect anyone to break into the stables and harm your horse.
"Whoever has done has done this is sick. Not only are they guilty of breaking the law by trespassing on other people's property, but also of cruelty to animals."
Ms Hollins said she had kept Persia in the stables, owned by friends, for the last 13 years. She said she had considered moving her after the stabbing last year, but had decided it was just an isolated incident.
Ms Hollins said: "The whole family is devastated. My children have grown up around her. She was a lovely horse who was gentle and very clever.
"She was more like a human than a horse. I'd ride her anywhere I could.
"I used to visit her at least once a day."
Carol's boyfriend, Anthony Rushton, aged 48, made the chilling discovery on his way to work on Tuesday.
Persia shared the stables with his six-year-old horse Beau, who has now been moved to another location.
He said: "I am absolutely gutted. I cannot believe how anyone could do this.
"I used to check on the two horses on my way to and from work."
Patricia Wright, of Red Street, Chesterton - whose 13-year-old pony Sandy was stabbed at the stables last September - is a friend of Ms Hollins.
The 42-year-old said: "She has my deepest sympathy. Having my pony stabbed ruined my life.
"Every time I go to check on my other pony, who I have now moved elsewhere, I am worried that the same thing may have happened again."
Inspector Steve Thirsk, commander of Newcastle police, said: "We are aware of the incident and are currently investigating it.
"I cannot comment further until we establish exactly how the horse died."
Anyone with information should call police on 08453 302010.