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A pony was burned with cigarettes and had a staple fired into the wounds during an horrific attack at a stables.

The RSPCA has now launched an investigation into the “terrible act of cruelty” after the owner Karris Reeves discovered the injuries to Penny – a 16-year-old Welsh section B mare.

It is believed the animal may have been pinned against the wall during the brutal attack.

Ms Reeves, 20, who owns five ponies and two horses with her mum, at the stables in Hooton, Wirral said: “I saw the marks and didn’t know what they were at first.

“I took pictures and my mum forwarded them on to the vet, who suspected they were burns.

“She came out and when you smelt them you could smell her fur and skin were burnt. The vet then found there was a staple in one of the wounds.

“There would have to have been a group of them, as even though she’s little you’re not going to hold a pony on your own to do that.

“The idea she’s been locked in that stable and can’t get away while they’ve done that to her just turns my stomach, that they’ve got a kick out of doing that. It’s heartbreaking.”

She said the attack has left Penny terrified of people she doesn’t know.

Ms Reeves said: “When the RSPCA inspector went up to her she started trembling and trying to get away. She was always really friendly with strangers before that.

“We’d been trying to do the right thing by her by keeping her in the stable overnight so she’s not outside getting cold and then someone goes and does this.”

RSPCA animal welfare officer John Littlewood said: “This poor pony must have been in so much pain as a result of this terrible act of cruelty.

“Fortunately the wounds can be treated – but I cannot believe that someone has done this to an innocent animal and for no other apparent reason than being cruel.“

Penny is recovering well – and I now want to hear from anyone who has any information regarding this incident.

“Penny was the only pony being stabled overnight – and she is kept in quite an isolated area – so whoever had gone there had gone there with the intention of causing her misery.”

Anyone with any information regarding this or knows who caused this poor pony these injuries please call the RSPCA inspector line on confidence on 0300 123 8018