Offensive words spray painted on side of horse

Essex Police are appealing for witnesses after a horse was spray painted with offensive words following a break-in at a stable yard.

Mollie Savage, 20, was disturbed to find her tack room destroyed as she visited her horse, Marley, at a yard off Haven Road, Canvey. Horse feed, ointments and other expensive equipment had been thrown around, with her horse missing from his stable.

“Marley’s stable door was open and at first I thought he had been stolen,” said Miss Savage. Marley was soon found in a nearby paddock, but despite being uninjured, he had offensive words sprayed on his side with a purple antiseptic spray usually used to treat wounds. “I couldn’t believe someone would do that.” she added.

Mollie hopes the paint will fade over time, as she has been unable to remove it. The destruction of equipment will cost around £100 to replace. The break-in is believed to have taken place overnight on 27 November and Mollie thinks she may have been personally targeted, as no other stables or horses were disturbed and vandalised.

Anyone with information can call police on 101 or give information anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or via an online form at crimestoppers-uk.org.

(Stock image (c) istockphoto)