A family are appealing for the return of a day-old foal that went missing overnight from its mother’s side.

It is feared the foal, owned by Billy Wilson and his family, has been stolen from a field in the Tong Park area of Baildon.

The foal is unlikely to survive without milk from its mother, Bonnie.

Julie Brannan, daughter-in-law of the owner, said: “It’s a day-old foal that’s been pinched.

“It was born on the Sunday and has gone missing some time between 8pm on Sunday and 6.30am on Monday.

“We have had eight of us down there searching.

“We kept going back thinking we might have missed it, hoping we might find it in the wood or trees, but it’s not anywhere to be seen. We’ve looked high and low.

“The mother is going frantic wondering where it has gone.

“If it had died, the mother would not leave it. It would stand there for ages until it accepted it.

“If it’s not horsey people who have taken it they might not realise it needs its mum’s milk. It won’t survive.

“Someone might have seen something or know something abut it.

“The same thing happened to a foal at Hollins Hill a couple of years ago but they did get it back, so I’m hoping we can do the same.”

In July 2008, a day-old Shetland foal was taken from a field next to the Marriott Hotel and Country Club, at Hollins Hill, Baildon.

After an appeal in the Telegraph & Argus, the foal was turned in at Shipley police station.

The latest foal to have gone missing has several distinguishing features.

It is black and has a white spot on the side and white legs.

Although it is said to be a “reasonable size”, the foal could have been taken away in a van rather than a horse box.

The family are offering a reward for any information that leads to the return of the foal.

The incident has been reported to police.

Anyone with information should call Country Feeds, in Shipley, on (01274) 593111.