Police in Dunedin have carried out searches in the ongoing investigation of a miniature horse which was stabbed 41 times.

Photo: Otago Daily Times / Gregor Richardson and Peter Gillespie

The 10-year-old animal Star was stabbed more than four times in his paddock overnight on 17 February and died the following day.

Police have a team of investigators working on the case.

Officers last week carried out searches in locations in Waitati, including the paddock and surrounds where Star was kept the night he was attacked.

Police have asked anyone with any information to come forward.

SPCA chief executive Andrea Midgen described it as one of the worst cases of animal cruelty she had heard about.