A WEST Devon equine charity is standing by its belief that the death of a mutilated foal found at Yennadon in July, was not inflicted by animals or natural causes, as was the conclusion of police reports.

In a response to the police report, a spokesperson for SWEP said: 'SWEP's welfare team is made up of highly qualified individuals who have extensive knowledge and expertise.

'They have dealt with many cases of dead ponies of various ages and died of many different causes. The bodies have been in different states of decomposition and some have been noticeably eaten by carrion eating predators.

'After extensive evaluation of the scene and body, our welfare assistant kept coming back to the conclusion that some things did not add up and it looked suspicious.

'It was decided to report it to the police and we stand by this decision and if we are to ever be called out to a similar finding we will again report it to the relevant authorities.'

For more information visit http://www.swep.org.uk">www.swep.org.uk