Horses 'traumatised' after shooting attacks
Three horses have been traumatised after they were shot and injured in a Surrey field – with one animal hurt on three sperate occasions.
Chon Donnelly said the horses have been attacked on four separate occasions over the last couple of weeks.
She said she has been forced to put up cameras around the fields near Bletchingley and stables and staff are keeping watch overnight too.
Divine, a black mare, was shot between the eyes in the first incident.
"Her skin had been taken off, " said Chon.
Another horse, a chestnut mare, was shot in the neck.
Chon said she found the horses “frozen” in their field and has had to rebuild their trust.
“Their behaviour changed completely over the next few days and they were huddled in the far corner of the field," she said.
“They were standing stock still and wouldn’t move.
“It was distressing to see because all our horses before they came here have had some kind of trauma.
“Now when they’re all relaxed and in a safe environment – it’s just cruel.”
In the next incident an older horse was shot in the nose “at fairly close range”.
Divine was also shot again, in the shoulder and under the jaw.
'Criminal damage'
Chon urged the people who’ve attacked the horses to “think about the trauma”.
“What’s happened is really cruel because the horses are not able to rationalise what’s happening," she said.
“We’d really like them to think about what they’re doing and stop.”
She has contacted other horse owners to be on their guard and step up their security.
A Surrey Police spokesperson said: “We have received four reports of criminal damage between 18 August and 29 August relating to horses receiving minor injuries from what the owner believes to be an airsoft weapon in Bletchingley.
“Our local team has been made aware and will be conducting follow up enquiries with the owner.”
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