W2C-006 Belfast Telegraph 5-1.txt
Knife attack on horse Mary Kelly

The USPCA today appealed for help in tracking down the "sick pervert" responsible for a knife attack on a horse in Ballynahinch.

Superintendent Francis Fox said he was "disgusted" by the latest incident - the fourth attack on horses in the province this year.

"We are very concerned at these incidents and we would appeal to anyone with any information to contact us or the police before an animal is killed."

Police in Downpatrick believe the latest attack happened in the Crabtree area of Ballynahinch sometime between Sunday evening and yesterday afternoon.

Horrific

The horse's owner, Joe Mahood, said he found his horse with several gashes across his legs and stomach.

"There was a six inch gash on his back leg and the skin is lying open. Another six inch long wound on his stomach is not as deep, but the area is badly swollen and he has another inch deep wound on his front leg where the knife was stuck in."

Mr Fox said one attack was bad enough, but four in the space of months was "horrific".

"It is just impossible to understand the sick, perverted mentality of someone who could stab horses in this way," he said.
