10:14am Friday 27th June 2008
By Chief reporter Vicky O'Hare
A GANG of young thugs who savagely beat four ponies with metal or wooden poles, is being hunted by police.
The animals were in a field next to the waterworks on Churchill Way, Basingstoke, when they were attacked.
The owner went to feed her pets on Thursday, June 19, at about 7pm and when she arrived, she saw five teenagers - two boys and three girls - beating the animals, some of whom were lying on the ground.
The 64-year-old woman challenged the group, but they ran off.
As they were leaving the field, one of the young thugs threatened to come back and kill the ponies.
Pc Ian Wonnacott, safer neighbourhoods beat manager for the area, said: "This was a despicable attack on defenceless animals and I am disgusted by the behaviour of those responsible.
"This was an extremely distressing incident, not only for the animals but also for the owner who witnessed the attack.
"I would ask anyone who knows who was responsible, or has any information about this incident, to contact us in confidence.
"We are particularly keen to hear from anyone who saw five youths cycling past the Sainsbury's depot towards the Houndsmill roundabout about 7.10pm that evening."
Anyone with any information should contact Pc Wonnacott, at Basingstoke police station, on 0845 045 4545 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
For more on this story see your Monday Gazette.
© Copyright 2001-2010 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.basingstokegazette.co.uk