A SECOND horse has been attacked with a knife in east Durham within several days – prompting fears of a serial offender on the loose.
Farmer Ron Colledge, 68, of White Lea Farm, Easington Colliery, was horrified to learn this morning (Thursday, September 11) that one of five horses in his field had been slashed overnight.
September 4: Appeal after slash attack on horse grazing in field
His daughter’s partner Paul Stephenson arrived to discover that his female trotter, Chanelle, was covered in blood. Further inspection revealed a deep gash up to 4in long on her back.
The farm is about four miles away from Pesspool Lane, Haswell, where a racing horse was deliberately slashed overnight on Thursday, September 4.
In that case a trotter Tommy suffered a 12in cut to his neck and required 100 stitches to close the wound.
Mr Colledge said: “I was horrified to discover this had happened to a horse on my land.
“How could anyone do anything like this?
“It is either someone going around slashing horses or it could be a copycat attack.
“The last attack happened just miles from here.”
He added: “Paul went to check on his horses, as he does every day, and saw Chanelle’s mane was soaked in blood.
“There was a 3in gash in the horse’s back, just behind the shoulder.
“It appears that whoever was responsible wanted to cut her all the way down, but she pulled away.
“Paul was in tears when he saw what had happened. He looks after them visiting them every day."
Chanelle was sedated and given eight stitches. The nine-year-old is recovering with her foal.
Mr Colledge said: “It was the same vet who treated the horse in Haswell. She said it was fortunate that we spotted it when we did or the wound could have become infected.
“The wound appears to have been inflicted with a craft knife as it’s a clean cut.
“I would urge anyone in the area to keep a check on their horses.”
A police spokesman said: “The local beat team dealing with the incident last week are investigating this incident.
“While they cannot say it is connected, they will be looking at it as a possibility.”
Police are investigating. Anyone with information should contact Durham Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
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