Injured pony left suffering in 'awful' state in field

The animal was found by members of the public in a field

An appeal has been launched to find the owner of an injured pony that had to be put to sleep.

The young colt cob was discovered by members of the public after he was left in an "awful" state in a Nottingham field, the RSPCA said.

The charity is now trying to find the owner after the wounded pony was rescued collapsed off Cossethay Drive, Strelley, with a severe leg injury and detached hoof.

An independent vet ruled the kindest action was to end the animal’s suffering.

'Heartbreaking'

The pony, which was under two years old, was found on 28 July.

Daniel Bradshaw, an inspector with the charity, said the injuries may have been caused by a combination of barbed wire, a harness and other horses.

He said: “We are grateful to all the members of the public and the vets who attended and tried to help this poor pony. It must have been very traumatic for everyone involved.

“I am horrified that this pony was in such a suffering state - and it’s heartbreaking to think he would have been in that condition for quite a while.

“Sadly, this pony was suffering, and the person who was responsible for him had clearly not been checking on their welfare - which meant the pony had been left in this awful state.”

Follow BBC Nottingham on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [e-mail] or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.