VIDEO: Horses maimed by thugs who cut tails (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Drighlington and Tong animals targeted

4:30am Friday 4th December 2009 in Drighlington By Steve Wright, Crime Reporter

A horse owner is urging others to be vigilant after a spate of bizarre attacks.

At least five horses have had their tails chopped off in a matter of days.

The incidents appear to be motiveless and have upset the horses and their owners.

Amanda Mitchell’s 18-month-old black cob Oddie was one of three horses to be targeted within hours as they grazed in their field off the Drighlington bypass, near Bradford. Two others were targeted at Tong.

All had their tails cut off up to the dock, the top of the tail made up of bone, muscle and flesh.

Amanda, 42, of Birkenshaw, Bradford, said the attackers seemed to have taken care not to have damaged the docks, which would have caused great pain, but the horses had been upset.

She said: “These horses are very placid and easy targets. Another horse in the field, which tends to kick out, was left alone.

“My horse is quite distressed and I can’t brush his back legs. It will take some time to win his confidence back.”

Amanda said it looked as if scissors had been used to cut the tails, but there appeared to be no motive and the horse hair was of little value.

She said: “I was going to show the horses next year but I won’t be able to do that now. It will take two or three years for the hair to grow back.

“I would urge anyone who owns horses to be extra vigilant. If you see someone hanging around that you don’t know, ask them what they are doing. You could even put up warning signs. Our horses were not injured but another may not be so lucky.”

Julie Hansord, Horse Watch Liaison Officer for West Yorkshire Police, said: “These incidents are very distressing for the owners and the horses. Police are asking for witnesses to the incidents and for people to report any suspicious behaviour.”

Anyone with information should contact Julie Hansord on 07595 009211 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111 or at crimestoppers-uk.org.