Pregnant horse dies after being mutilated in Gate Burton attack

Police are warning horse owners to be vigilant and to report anything suspicious

The owner of a pregnant horse, which died after being "severely mutilated", has said it might have been targeted as part of Satanic ritual.

Rupert Worrell found 19-year-old Penny covered in blood in a field in Gate Burton, near Gainsborough, on Friday.

The horse was treated by a vet, but died on Saturday after her foal had been delivered stillborn.

Mr Worrall said she had been assaulted after being restrained by her attackers.

'Terrible crime'

He said: "Nobody knows why someone would do something like this, but you can look on the internet and there are all these Satanic cults.

"It always seems to happen on a full moon between the 2nd and the 7th of May - poor old Penny was attacked on the 4th May," he said.

Lincolnshire Police's wildlife crime officer, PC Nick Willey, said: "This was a terrible crime, which resulted in the death of a horse and her unborn foal.

"Fortunately, such crimes are rare in the county and we are asking the horse owning community to be extra vigilant at this time and report any unusual activity."

The family has offered a £1,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of those responsible.