Pony Set on Fire and Left to Die

The yearling pony was tethered behind some houses in an area behind some houses in Keady in Northern Ireland’s County Armagh. Even before someone doused him with a flammable liquid and set him on fire, he was emaciated. If a neighbor had not seen the flames and acted quickly to douse them, more than his hind quarters would have burned. The horse would have suffered a slow, agonizing death.

Still, by the time the pony’s plight was reported to the ISPCA, his “skin was severely infected, with oozing pus and a very heavy infestation of maggots.” Police and a veterinary surgeon were called in. The colt, now being called “Bert,” was given pain relief and fever medication and taken to the Victor Dowling Equine Rescue Centre.

On the ISPCA Facebook site, Inspector Lisa O’Donovan says,

We are very hopeful that Bert will recover. The torture he endured during this mindless act of cruelty is beyond comprehension. To think of the suffering he endured and yet he was such a calm gentle animal while we were working to save him. It’s a barbaric act of cruelty and shocking to say that such things are going on in what we perceive to be a civilised society.

There are pictures of Bert’s horrific injuries on the ISPCA site. They break my heart. This is a gentle creature who harmed no one. The sadists who attacked him are both despicable and frightening. No one with a conscience could inflict such pain as a lark.

Related Care2 Stories

Patrick’s Recovery: Pit Bull Bagged and Thrown Down Garbage Chute

Animal Cruelty: Who Is to Blame?

Are Anti-Cruelty Campaigns Really Effective?

Read more: animal cruelty, animal rights, animal welfare

Photo from dodsport via Flickr Creative Commons

quick poll

vote now!

Loading poll...

no!
leaning no
leaning yes
yes!

no!
leaning no
leaning yes
yes!

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Marilyn G.

11:26AM PST on Jan 8, 2012

What a horrible, unspeakable crime. My question is, what does it mean in this story "by the time IRSPCA were called"?. Were they not called immediately?

send a green star

Gene S.

3:44PM PST on Dec 14, 2011

I would have no opposition to the euthanizing of the person responsible for this inhumane act - - -

Carrie Anne B.

7:55AM PST on Dec 3, 2011

Horrible! :( but thanks for sharing

Doug G.

11:50PM PST on Nov 24, 2011

With all the other animal abuse stories on top of this one, one has to wonder what in the hell is wrong with this demented species given to so much ugliness while justifying it. What does this say about those who commit these acts and the pathetic reply they get from a truly dysfunctional society that lacks a will to take this far more seriously than it does.

Appalling behavior!

Pinke A.

6:20PM PST on Nov 23, 2011

This is so sick and horrible! What the heck is wrong with people these days??? Thanks a million to the neighbor! Just need to believe that the Karma law will hit the bastard,where it will hurt him the most!

Diane L.

1:24AM PST on Nov 22, 2011

I agree, Jackie. Many of the stories being told in Care.2 probably don't make the "nightly news", but that doesn't mean they are less worthy of being told in most cases. I would make one suggestion there, however. I've read far too many articles where the author does not get his/her facts and runs with rumors. That is counter productive when the truth is posted. It makes those that went with what was originally said feel embarrassed. I know it's hard sometimes. Writers want to be the "first" to break a story, but personally, I'd rather read facts than run with emotions based on guesswork and finger-pointing which might turn out to be false.

Debra G.

2:24PM PST on Nov 21, 2011

Humans are capable of such compassion, and such horror. It is so ridiculous that people still breed dogs, cats, and horses, when there is not the homes available to take them. Spaying and neutering, and gelding. Do not use the animals uterus to make money. If you are having a hard time, do not get the animal.

mari s.

3:00PM PST on Nov 20, 2011

Thank you to all who take those extra steps to save horses that they happen upon -- without your wonderful interference these sweet animals would suffer even more than they have -- in addition, let's put a stop to those people, who are either negligent, unconscionable, uncaring, cruel, etc. -- they should be exposed and held accountable -- we must speak up and out for animals -- if we don't, then who will.

2:49PM PST on Nov 20, 2011

This is so horrific -- catch those mental cases, those cruel, unconscionable, lower than criminal idiots -- pluck them out of society and keep them away from all animals and people -- the authorities can do what they wish with them -- but, always keep them locked up -- away from animals and people. Thank you to all who saved this pony -- may he make a full and beautiful recovery. Keep us posted!

Jackie D.

2:22PM PST on Nov 20, 2011

The only way to stop this type of cruelty is to expose it, esp. if it leads to arrest of the perpertrator. It's no good going back to pre-internet days where only those working in the field knew witnessed such suffering. Please Care2 keep on publishing these stories and helping animals.