Reward offered

Breeders Graham and Gill Worrell, who run Prospect House Farm with son Rupert, initially offered £1,000 for information leading to a conviction after Persian Dream was brutally attacked in May this year.

But they have now increased the reward to £2,500 to bring those who committed the crime to justice.

Graham Worrell said they were sickened to realise how brutally the 19-year-old chestnut mare, also known as Penny, had been attacked in a field on Clay Lane.

“We were really shocked - it was absolutely terrible. This was a truly wicked act,” he said.

“I have heard about these kinds of attacks before but never thought it would happen in this part of the country.”

Added son Rupert: “Out of all the mares in the field, Penny was the kindest and most trusting horse, which is what makes it even more upsetting for us.”

“We are offering this reward to catch those responsible before they do anything like this again.”

Penny was immediately taken to the vets and had to be helped to give birth to her foal, which had already died.

The mare died soon after due to shock and massive internal bleeding.

A number of horrific horse attacks - some linked to Satanic rituals - have happened nationally in recent months.

Lincs Police say they also have reports of a horse having part of its tail cut off and being covered in oil in Washingborough on 12th June.

Wildlife crime officer Pc Nick Willey urged anyone with information to come forward.

“The public have been shocked by this attack and despite significant interest in the incident we still need more information to help us catch the person or people who did this,” he said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Lincolnshire Police on 101 quoting incident number 242 of 4th May 2012. Alternatively, call the charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

An RSPCA spokesman said the charity always taken incidents of animal cruelty very seriously and urged anyone with any information to call the police immediately or the RSPCA cruelty line on 0300 1234 999.