Gypsy gang 'deliberately drowned' elderly pony in lake in front of horrified families

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Killers: The gang deliberately drowned a pony by pushing it into Hawkley Lake, in Pinewood Park, near Yateley in Hampshire, until it was completely submerged


Police are hunting a gang of thugs who deliberately drowned a pony by pushing it into a lake.

Horrified onlookers spotted the group of 12 men and boys forcing the two-year-old animal and its trap into the 8ft-deep water.

Officers are also investigating reports the yobs used sticks to beat the piebald cob pony as it tried desperately to haul itself out of Hawley Lake, near Farnborough, Hampshire.


Crime scene: The RSPCA and Hampshire Police have launched a joint investigation into the incident


They also tried to push in two other ponies, also attached to their traps.

A horrified 21-year-old walker trying to rescue the first pony was kicked in the head and knocked unconscious by the panicking animal.

He was treated at the scene by paramedics before being taken to Frimley Park Hospital but has since been discharged.


Hauled out: Army Divers and Hampshire Fire and Rescue recovered the pony's body from the lake


Unable to clamber out, the pony tried to swim to the other side but was dragged down by the wooden trap and drowned on Saturday afternoon.

The body was removed from the lake by Hampshire Fire Service firefighters with the help of Ministry of Defence divers, who use the lake, in a three-hour operation.


source: dailymail