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Satanic link to Cornwall horse mutilation investigated Satanic link to Cornwall horse mutilation investigated
(about 2 hours later)
A link between the death of a mutilated horse in Cornwall and a Satanic ritual is being investigated by police. Police investigating the mutilation of a horse in Cornwall have said they "cannot rule out" a link with a Satanic ritual.
The two-year-old stallion called Erik was found in a field in Stithians on Monday with horrific injuries to its head and body. The stallion was found dead in a field in Stithians on Monday with knife injuries to its head and body.
The savage nature of the attack has prompted speculation it may have been a ritualistic killing. The attack, which happened shortly after St Winebald Day - a date on the Satanic calendar - has prompted speculation of a ritualistic killing.
"Obviously that is one line we're going to pursue - but it isn't the only line," Insp Chris Strickland said. "Obviously that is one line we're going to pursue," Insp Chris Strickland said.
The officer from Devon and Cornwall Police said he was aware of discussions on internet forums about the horse's injuries and said the "horrible" death was being treated extremely seriously. But he added it was not "the only line" officers were investigating.
"But if you have a one-off incident in a remote area it becomes very difficult for us, but that doesn't mean it isn't a priority," he added. The officer from Devon and Cornwall Police said he was aware of discussions on internet forums linking the killing to a Satanic ritual and, although it was a "strong possibility", he insisted police also had other leads.
Initial post-mortem tests were carried out by a vet at the scene and a full forensic examination will be conducted later. Mr Strickland said he was keeping an open mind on the subject.
"I have done my own research on the internet and there are people out there who have these beliefs and so that is a strong possibility, but there are other leads we have got as well and other possibilities or motives," he said.
The horse was attacked between 16:00 GMT on Sunday and midday on Monday.
The horse's owner, Dawn Jewell, said she was devastated by what had happened to the horse she had raised from a foal.
Her mother, Vivien Allaway, said they were both "well aware" of rumours and speculation about Satanic links.
"It's not based on fact, but it's plausible so we can't dismiss it," she said.
Insp Strickland said the force was taking the killing seriously.
'Beyond belief''Beyond belief'
"If they able to do that to a horse, what else are they capable of doing?" he said.
"There's a rural community out there who are going to be very worried and frightened by what's happened."
Initial post-mortem tests on the two-year-old stallion named Erik were carried out by a vet at the scene and a full forensic examination will be conducted.
A Devon horse lover has offered a £2,000 reward for information leading to the capture of the attacker.A Devon horse lover has offered a £2,000 reward for information leading to the capture of the attacker.
Graham Rickard said: "It's a poor defenceless animal and it's a sick crime. I hope they get caught."Graham Rickard said: "It's a poor defenceless animal and it's a sick crime. I hope they get caught."
The horse was attacked between 16:00 GMT on Sunday and midday on Monday.
Erik's owner Dawn Jewell, who had raised him from a foal, said she had lost "her baby", a Friesian horse she had been wanting since she was a child.
Animal lovers, including the BBC horseracing presenter Clare Balding, have been making their feelings of horror known in large numbers via Twitter.Animal lovers, including the BBC horseracing presenter Clare Balding, have been making their feelings of horror known in large numbers via Twitter.
Maureen Rolls, of South West Equine Protection, said it was the worst case of horse mutilation she had seen in 30 years.Maureen Rolls, of South West Equine Protection, said it was the worst case of horse mutilation she had seen in 30 years.
"It's appalling. We have had cases of cutting the hair on manes and tails, but this is beyond that."It's appalling. We have had cases of cutting the hair on manes and tails, but this is beyond that.
"I can't understand how anyone could do this. "I can't understand how anyone could do this."
"Killing an animal is one thing, but to go through all that is beyond belief."
Dawn's mother Vivien Allaway said that the family had been buoyed by support in hundreds of emails.
'Sickening crime'
"All horsey people are coming together," she said.
"All of Dawn's hopes and dreams were tied up in that horse and they have been dashed."
Det Insp Tony Blatchford said it was one of the worst incidents of cruelty to a horse he had dealt with and he warned all horse owners in rural areas of the county to be vigilant.
He said: "This is a particularly sickening crime.
"Detectives are following lines of inquiry to try to identify the offender and I'd ask all horse and livestock owners to be particularly vigilant and report anything suspicious to police."
Dyfed-Powys Police have confirmed they are investigating an attack on a pony in Carmarthenshire on 5 January which saw the animal suffer similar injuries to Erik.Dyfed-Powys Police have confirmed they are investigating an attack on a pony in Carmarthenshire on 5 January which saw the animal suffer similar injuries to Erik.