Boy, 6, 'distraught' over missing pet pony

Dori has not been seen since 6 October

A mother has said her six-year-old son is "struggling to eat and sleep" following the disappearance of their beloved family pet.

Faith, 29, from Rochdale, has offered up a £1,000 reward, for the return of Dori, a five-year-old pony belonging to her son, Noah, who has been left "heartbroken".

The pony has been missing from a field on Albert Royds Street in Rochdale since 6 October.

Greater Manchester Police said CCTV had been reviewed and all lines of inquiry were "negative at this stage".

"If anyone has our pony, please bring her back and there will be no questions asked," Faith said.

Faith says her son has "gone into himself" after the pony went missing

Faith and Noah became Dori's owners last year, taking the animal in as company for their 15-year-old pony Barney.

Since joining the family, Dori has formed a special bond with Noah.

Faith said her son had been "devastated" by the loss.

"He's not himself," she said. "He's very quiet. He can't understand why someone might have taken his pony."

The paddock is close to a school and on the main road.

Faith said: "People would stop to see them all the time, they became very popular."

'Easy target'

Despite police investigations, there have been no reported sightings of Dori but Faith believes the animal has been stolen.

"There are houses all around, so she couldn't have gone for a wander without people seeing her," she said.

"Dori is such a friendly pony - that would have made her an easier target to a thief."

She described the pony as "like a little dog" who would follow Noah everywhere.

Of the reward, Faith said: "The money that we're offering is a lot more than what she's worth, but to us she's worth everything.

"I'd swap my everything just to get her back, for the sake of Noah."

Greater Manchester Police said: "CCTV enquires have been completed at two separate locations.

"The victim was spoken to by an officer after the CCTV enquiries had been completed to provide her with an update and that unfortunately all lines of enquiry are negative at this stage."