Shetland Dragged Behind Car in Queensland

Animal welfare workers and authorities have been horrified by the sickening abuse of a Shetland pony that was dragged behind a car at Murphy's Creek near Toowoomba.

The male pony sustained severe lacerations to its fore and hind quarter legs in the Christmas Day attack and its hooves were left torn and bloodied.

Toowoomba Police shift supervisor Sergeant Vern Holcombe said two men driving an older-model brown Holden Commodore sedan were seen leading the pony along Murphy's Creek Road, near the intersection of Stevens Road, about 1pm.

The animal had a rope tied around its neck, which was being held onto by the front seat passenger through the car window.

“Initially they were not going too fast, but as they got faster the horse kept stumbling and would be dragged along the ground on its chest,” Sgt Holcombe said.

“This happened a number of times until a member of the public confronted them.

“They let go of the rope and left the horse on the side of the road.”

Sgt Holcombe said a lot of the pony's hide was worn off and had been scraped down to the bone on its knees and chest.

A vet tended to the animal at a nearby property before it was taken to Brisbane yesterday for further treatment.

Sgt Holcombe said the people who witnessed the brutal act were pretty upset.

“It defies imagination as to what these people (the offenders) were doing.”

RSPCA Queensland assistant chief inspector Tracey Jackson said the animal was in considerable pain and had difficulty walking and standing.

“This is one poor creature that had a horrendous Christmas Day,” she said.

Sergeant Holcombe said the pony was expected to survive the ordeal.

Anyone with information about the owners of the pony or the offenders is urged to call the cruelty complaints hotline on 1300 852 188.