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New-born Foal is Mauled to Death
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New-born Foal is Mauled to Death
By Tim Fletcher
Ashbourne News Telegraph: 2nd July 2008
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FARMERS and animal owners are being warned to be on their guard after a new-born foal was mauled to death in a field in Kniveton.
The gruesome discovery was made by the horse's owner, Pauline Rushan, on Monday morning, in the field she owns off Standlow Lane.
The animal enjoyed a tragically short life, having only been born a few hours before the attack, which Mrs Rushan, 68, believes may have been carried out by a dog.
"I went up to the fields at about 11am to check on the horses, as I had had another foal born the day before," she said.
"I found this one, which I think was only born about three hours before. Whatever had got it had pawed it around a bit and got it around the throat.
"There were teeth marks and puncture marks but it didn't seem to have been badly ripped about. Then I turned it over and blood was pouring out of its heart.
"I'm heartbroken. I've been breeding horses for more than 20 years and these were the last two foals I planned to have. I've never had a foal killed before - it's very upsetting."
The attack has prompted speculation that a mysterious big cat seen in the area in recent years could have had an involvement.
As reported in the News Telegraph, last month a huge paw print was found in mud near a footpath in Shirley, while further footprints have been sighted in Bradley Wood and Osmaston Park.
The mystery creature was first spotted in the mid-1990s, with a further spate of sightings in the summer of 2005 when a woman noticed a large, black, cat-like creature with a long thin tail foraging in fields near Ashbourne's Manor Green estate.
The beast has also been spotted diving into the River Dove near Mappleton Bridge, attacking a hare near Dovedale, and even prowling through Ashbourne town centre.
However, Mrs Rushan, who has been living in the area for 28 years since moving from Cheshire with her late husband John, said the lack of claw marks suggested to her that the attacker wasn't a cat, and that a dog running loose was a more likely suspect.
"If there is anyone who has animals they should watch out," she said. "I have already spoken to one farmer nearby and he said that if it can attack a horse, it could also attack a cow.
"If someone is letting their dog run around they should remember they live in the country, and they should keep it on a lead - especially near livestock."
Do you have any information on the above reports. Were you the person
involved, or are you aware of any more sightings in this area. We would appreciate any information that you could
give us.
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