POLICE have confirmed that the death of a Dartmoor pony in July, was due to natural causes and not by ritualistic killing as some originally thought.

The two-month-old pony was found dead and mutilated on moorland at Dousland last month, and officers were originally investigating the possibility that the body had been left after some kind of ritualistic killing.

The pony was found by a welfare assistant from South West Equine Protection (SWEP) with the top of its ears cut off, its male genitals, anus and eyes missing, the tongue pulled out of its mouth and its stomach split open.

The welfare assistant also said there were lines of white paint coming from its body and possible scorch mark in the grass around it.

Police have sought the advice of experts and have come to the view that the death of the pony was through natural causes.

They said all the injuries can be attributed to those caused by other wild animals.

Dartmoor National Park and the police are keen to reassure both the local community and visitors to the area that there is no evidence of any human involvement in the death of the pony.