AN ANIMAL charity is appealing for help for a pony that was left with horrific injuries after being abandoned at a roadside.
The piebald pony, now named Keith, was found tied to a fence on Pershore Road near Worcester Warriors Rugby Stadium on Wednesday, April 8, with a serious leg injury that had been left to fester for about two weeks.
A member of the public called the RSPCA and their chief inspector Lee Hopgood found Keith with a tether around his neck tied dangerously tight and no food or water left for him.
The RSPCA are keen to locate his owner or the people responsible for his care and are appealing for help with the estimated £3,000 to £4,000 it will costs to continue to treat and look after him.
Mr Hopgood said: “It is so sad to see any animal abandoned and when they are so sweet natured it beggars belief how anyone could do it, especially when they are in pain and need help.
“Keith is such a gentle soul and really deserves looking after. We don’t know how he got the wound on his leg but it is serious and we are now appealing to the equine community to assist us in rallying round to help with his care.”
Vets are pleased with the progress Keith is making and are hopeful he will make a full recovery.
Claire Brown, veterinary surgeon of Clent Hills veterinary group, said: “This is a very serious wound, and when it happened he was very lucky not to have damaged any major structures such as the joint, we are hopeful that he will react well to treatment. He is a sweet, well mannered pony, so fingers crossed.”
The RSPCA and other horse welfare charities are struggling to cope with the amount of abused and neglected horses and have described themselves as being in the grip of a horse crisis.
The RSPCA currently has 600 horses in its care and receives about 500 complaints relating to horse welfare every week.
To donate to Keith’s care call 0300 123 0346 or visit https://campaign.justgiving.com/charity/rspcahq/keiththecolt/.
Anyone with information about this pony or its owners is urged to contact the RSPCA Inspector Appeal line on 0300 1238018.
