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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Dartmoor pony 'mutilated and killed in ritual' | Dartmoor pony 'mutilated and killed in ritual' |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The body of a pony has been found "mutilated and possibly arranged in a ritualistic way" on Dartmoor. | The body of a pony has been found "mutilated and possibly arranged in a ritualistic way" on Dartmoor. |
| The animal, which was believed to be about two-months-old, was surrounded by patches of burnt moorland, a Devon and Cornwall Police spokeswoman said. | The animal, which was believed to be about two-months-old, was surrounded by patches of burnt moorland, a Devon and Cornwall Police spokeswoman said. |
| The colt also had traces of white paint on one of its legs and appeared to have been involved in "some sort of ritual", police said. | The colt also had traces of white paint on one of its legs and appeared to have been involved in "some sort of ritual", police said. |
| The discovery was made at Yennadon Down near Dousland on Tuesday evening. | The discovery was made at Yennadon Down near Dousland on Tuesday evening. |
| 'Nasty and distressing' | 'Nasty and distressing' |
| But it is believed the foal had died about 24 hours before it was found. | But it is believed the foal had died about 24 hours before it was found. |
| Insp Andy Oliver, of Devon and Cornwall Police, said it was an "unusual, nasty and distressing" find. | Insp Andy Oliver, of Devon and Cornwall Police, said it was an "unusual, nasty and distressing" find. |
| "In the last 12 months there have been at least three similar incidents in the force area," he said. | "In the last 12 months there have been at least three similar incidents in the force area," he said. |
| The person who found the pony called the police because there were no obvious signs it had been attacked by another animal. | The person who found the pony called the police because there were no obvious signs it had been attacked by another animal. |
| Insp Oliver said his officers would be speaking to "experts in the field as it was not in the normal remit". | Insp Oliver said his officers would be speaking to "experts in the field as it was not in the normal remit". |
| Rob Steemson, of Dartmoor National Park, said: "Who knows what's going on up here, especially when there is a full moon? | |
| "There are less people around at night, and we are appealing to people to keep their eyes open and to report anything suspicious." | |
| Devon and Cornwall Police said there had been three other reports of similar attacks on horses or ponies in the last 12 months in the force area. | |
| It added that officers were working with the RSPCA, the Dartmoor Livestock Protection Society and South West Equine Protection in the investigation. |