Police step up patrols over fears attacker is maiming horses (From Bournemouth Echo)

Police step up patrols over fears attacker is maiming horses

8:44am Thursday 9th September 2010 in

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POLICE in the New Forest are stepping up patrols after a spate of mutilating attacks on horses.

The worst incidents were at Bagnum Riding Stables near Ringwood.

A horrific four-inch deep and four-inch wide knife wound was found on a former racing gelding when he was brought in from his field one evening.

Stables owner Anna Wentworth said a second |gelding sustained serious knife wounds some weeks later.

She said police were called to the stables on Saturday after a man was seen lurking in the pig field watching the horses before being chased off the private land by farmers.

She said: “I’m urging all horse owners to check their horses.

“I know that most horse owners wouldn’t check in between the horse’s legs but it’s really important that this is done.

“Initially, when my first horse was attacked, I thought perhaps he had injured himself in the field.

“I thought this was a bit odd as there were no other marks on him, but when my second horse was left with injuries in the same place I knew we were looking at a weird individual.

“These sorts of attacks are uncommon.

“About 15 years ago mares in the area were targeted by a pervert and those incidents were a lot worse but these recent attacks are not nice.”

She added: “Keep an eye on your horses and report anything suspicious.

“The more people who are aware the better.

“The trouble is that my ex-racehorse and the Dartmoor horse are both very trusting and some horses will walk up to strangers, making them very vulnerable to attacks like these.”

Hampshire Police confirmed three horse attacks in all had been reported and urged horse |owners to report any incidents.

The Daily Echo understands another pony was injured near Christchurch and two horses are believed to have been |mutilated in another location near Ringwood.

A Hampshire police spokesman said: “We have increased patrols in vulnerable areas and I am calling for all horse owners and members of the public who may see something suspicious to remain vigilant.”