A farmer has reported that two of his stolen Shetland ponies were found 'traumatised and starved' 75 miles from their home in the New Forest National Park. James Penny discovered six of his miniature ponies missing after he witnessed travellers handling some of them near his farm in Cadnam, Hampshire.
The theft sparked a two-week community search, with residents rallying to track down the animals. Following a tip-off, a 14-year-old mare and her three-year-old daughter were found wandering roads near the M25 in Hillingdon, west London. Mr Penny said the younger pony had been shaved in an attempt to remove his ownership brand.
Mr Penny expressed his anger and distress, noting that the ponies appeared to have been starved. He added that there is a traveller camp near the location where the two ponies were found, but police advised him not to search there for the remaining four missing animals. The search continues for the other ponies.
