Police launch investigation after dead and mutilated horse found in pasture

Nottinghamshire Police have launched an investigation after a “dead and mutilated” horse was found in a pasture.

Police have warned owners to be “extra vigilant” after the 16-year-old horse named Alfie, a tri-coloured cob, was discovered.

It suggests that the attack was likely deliberate, adding that the animal was discovered on a property off Owday Lane in Carlton-in-Lindrick on Thursday morning, having been abandoned safe and sound by its owner on Wednesday evening.

Chief Inspector Clive Collings said: “All the evidence shows this was a vile, heartless attack on a defenceless animal and I urge anyone with information about the incident to contact us as soon as possible.”

“Violent attack”

“This is the epitome of a senseless and violent attack.

“Alfie’s owner is devastated by his cruel death and wants justice for him.”

On social media, locals speculated that the apparent attack may not have been an isolated incident.

One woman, whose profile says she lives in Nottingham, said “something is very wrong” and posted links to news reports about other horse mutilations that had taken place across the country over the past decade.

She added that she keeps her own horses near where Albie was found.

“Severely mutilated”

A business owner from Grantham suspected the attack was linked to a horse that was killed and “severely mutilated” in a pasture in neighboring Lincolnshire in December.

Another social media user said he had experienced similar incidents, pointing to the series of horse killings in France in 2020, which French police suspected may have been the result of satanic rituals.

Nottinghamshire Police said investigations into the incident are ongoing, including reviewing CCTV footage, examining forensic capabilities and conducting door-to-door interviews.

Police urged people in the area to recall whether they had observed any suspicious activity on Wednesday night and Thursday morning and to check whether there was any usable footage from doorbell cameras or surveillance cameras.

Anyone with information is urged to call police on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously.