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Police have confirmed that they are investigating reports of a pregnant Shetland pony losing her foal after being ridden by a young man.

People in Cornwall were left furious on Tuesday (April 9) after pictures showing a young man catching a mare and riding her before she fell and had a miscarriage emerged.

The stills were reportedly taken from a video posted on messaging app Snapchat and were shared on Facebook by Hollie Cornelius.

The incident is thought to have happened in the St Breward area, on Bodmin Moor.

On Wednesday morning Ms Cornelius commented on Cornwall Live's original Facebook post and gave an update on the situation. The page received a huge number of reaction from people who were furious and disgusted by the images of the incident.

Warning you may find some images distressing

(Image: Hollie Cornelius / Facebook)

She wrote: "I’d just like to let everyone know that I now know who was involved and they have come forward and sincerely apologised.

"This does not change the past but hopefully it has raised enough awareness to stop it from ever happening again.

"I do not wish any harm on the people involved because, quite frankly, two wrongs do not make a right and they are being dealt with professionally.

"The mare is doing well, thank god."

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Devon and Cornwall Police have confirmed that they are investigating the incident, which is thought to have happened within the past five days.

In a statement, the force said: "Police are investigating reports of unnecessary suffering to a protected animal on Bodmin Moor between Friday 5 and Monday 8 April.

"It was reported that the pony had been ridden by a member of the public causing it to fall. Later, the mare miscarried its unborn foal.

"Police enquires remain ongoing at this time."

A spokesperson for the RSPCA said on Tuesday: “We urge anyone with any information to call the RSPCA on 0300 123 4999.”