POLICE investigating the death of a stolen pony whose severed head was found on Wednesday believe the animal may have been targeted deliberately.

Trigger, a seven-year-old Shetland Pony, was reported stolen last week by his owner, Patricia Lister, from Spennymoor, County Durham.

Ms Lister made the gruesome discovery while walking along an old railway line towards Ferryhill with two family members looking for her beloved pet.

No other body parts have yet been found.

Police have renewed their appeal for information about the incident and those responsible for the attack.

PC Paul Colman, from the Spennymoor beat team, said: "We are following a number of lines of inquiry.

"At this stage, we do not believe this is a random attack."

Anyone with information is asked to call PC Colman on 0345-60-60-365 or Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111.