10 Jun Pony left tied to a fence with deep wound caused by tight-fitting headcollar
The RSPCA is appealing for information after a Shetland pony was left tied to a fence in a car park in Sidcup.
The charity was contacted on Monday (9 June) by members of the public who made the sad discovery at the car park in Watery Lane, at Foots Cray, in south east London.
The chestnut coloured female Shetland is thought to be an older pony into her teenage years, and did not have a microchip.
RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer Adam Tasker said: “It was incredibly sad to find this poor pony in such a bad way.
“When I arrived, officers from Kent Police had untied the pony and provided her with some water, but it was clear that the wound to her head caused by the tight-fitting headcollar was very severe, and we had no doubt she was in a lot of pain. It was also clear she was very underweight too.”
Adam contacted an equine vet who examined the pony at the location and sadly confirmed that the wound to her neck was very deep and was infected with maggots. They also discovered further wounds to her legs and feet, causing her pain.
The pony’s heart rate was abnormally high, likely due to the infection, and the vet found she had prominent mobility issues concerning her back legs. Sadly, the vet concluded the pony was suffering and made the decision that the kindest course of action was to euthanise her as a result.
Adam added: “It’s really sad that this pony’s wounds and condition were so severe that she couldn’t be saved. We fear someone deliberately left her tied to the fence in the car park which is such a sad thing to do to an already suffering pony.
“During 2024, my RSPCA colleagues across England and Wales attended 22,503 incidents involving an abandoned animal, just like this pony. It’s never okay to abandon an animal, and I am keen to hear from anyone with more information about how this pony ended up like this.”
Anyone with information contact the RSPCA inspectorate appeal line in confidence by calling 0300 123 8018.
Sadly, it’s not uncommon for the RSPCA and other equine welfare charities to be called about gravely ill, abandoned horses, and dumped dead horses. Veterinary care as well as disposing of a horse’s body has cost implications which means gravely ill or sometimes even dead horses are often abandoned, or discarded like rubbish.
