AN equine welfare charity and the police are appealing for information after a pony was found at Yelverton with a crossbow arrow through its leg.

A South West Equine Protection (SWEP) welfare officer was called to the report of a pony with an arrow embedded through its hind leg near the Leg O'Mutton on Yelverton Aerodrome last week. When the welfare officer arrived, the pony's owner was already on site attending to the injury, removing what was believed to be a crossbow arrow and treating the pony with antibiotics.

The welfare officer, Becky Treeby, said some 'very kind' local ladies helped to restrain the pony while it was treated and it was done as gently as possible. She said the yearling went on to graze and although lame, was lucky to have escaped major injuries or blood loss.

'The pony was a Dartmoor hill pony and it's alive and amazingly fine but of course very lame,' said Ms Treeby. 'No tendons or arteries were punctured by the crossbow arrow, but the arrow went straight through the leg. The pony is being monitored and received a shot of penicillin from the owner at the scene.

'I was absolutely shocked when I was called out to the incident. I can't believe some people can be so cruel.

'It is a very worrying time when you have people out armed with a potentially lethal weapon — it's lucky this particular pony had a good owner who arrived and dealt with the injury without hesitation.'

The police have been informed of the incident and Becky urged anyone who has any information to contact the police as soon as possible.

Sgt Dave Anning, from Tavistock Police Station, said: 'It is entirely possible that this is linked to the other incidents that we have had involving a crossbow over the last year or two, including a duck that was found swimming at Burrator Reservoir despite having a bolt through its chest.

'If anyone has information that might lead to the arrest of the offender of these cruel crimes, please get in touch.

'In fact, if anyone simply knows of local people who use crossbows, please let us know. We would like to start building a rapport with local enthusiasts so we can weed out the criminal element.'

Anyone with information should call the police on 101, quoting log number 430 of 22/01/2015, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.