AS an animal lover and someone who appreciates the moors I feel I must write to complain about the condition of the Dartmoor ponies due to the strangles outbreak.

The recent article in the Times will hopefully bring this terrible situation to an end before this disease affects other foals in the future. We can no longer turn a blind eye to the suffering these ponies endure. While on Whitchurch Down my family and I have seen many ponies, especially foals, with the illness. We were shocked by what we saw, saliva dripping from the foal's mouth, mucus running from its nose, with a grossly swollen throat gasping for air.

You would think it was happening in a Third World country, not right on our doorstep. We used to enjoy walking on the moors, but now we stay away, it's too upsetting.

I understand the ponies are wild, but I do strongly feel that the owners should be responsible for the health of their stock, even if that does mean providing veterinary attention. If the owners cannot afford veterinary costs, perhaps it would be better to take the stallions off the moors and not breed any more foals until the situation is under control.

At the very least I think the owners' contact details, with a procedure to follow of what to do if you see a sick animal should be displayed on the entrance to the moors. At present it is so frustrating, trying to get someone to help them.

These unique ponies manage to survive in challenging enough conditions as it is, with the constant danger of the traffic, the harsh elements and the stress of the round-up.

The Dartmoor pony is the symbol of our wonderful moor and the freedom we all enjoy when we visit its wilderness.

Victoria Semark

16 Cedar Close, Callington