Pony dumped in backyard of Stoke-on-Trent home

Pony dumped in a pensioner’s garden when granddaughter, 13, put address on Facebook.

The skinny young colt was abandoned in the yard of a house in Ford Green Road, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, covered in mites on April 27.

It was then that the grandmother found out her teenage granddaughter had replied to an online advert saying the pony would be put to sleep if nobody came forward to look after him.

The 13-year-old replied with her gran’s address without her knowledge, so naturally she was left gobsmacked when the animal turned up unannounced.

The shocked woman, unsure what to do with the pony, contacted World Horse Welfare who got in touch with the RSPCA.

The animal charity yesterday released pictures of the pony stranded in the small yard of the house – surrounded by wheelie-bins, garden furniture and a rabbit hutch.

RSPCA inspector Charlotte Melvin, who attended the property to check over the horse, said: ‘You couldn’t make this up.

‘A 13-year-old girl responded to a plea on an online free ads site where a lady said she didn’t want the pony anymore and that he would be put to sleep if no one had him.

‘She gave her nan’s address and the next thing that happened was a man just came along and dumped the pony there, no words of advice or anything like that – and leaving a very shocked nan. ‘We don’t know where this poor pony came from but he clearly was not treated well before being abandoned.

‘We have come to a dead end in trying to find out further information so we are appealing for anybody who can help us to get in touch.’ The pony, who has been named Mr Melvin Andrews, is now in the care of World Horse Welfare.

Field officer Rachel Andrews who transported the animal to a private boarding establishment, said she hoped the incident was not the start of a new trend.

She added: ‘We’re seeing sick or young ponies being dumped and abandoned when their owners no longer want them, and it would be a worry if online free ad sites are used in this way. ‘Many provide advice on the commitment required to take on a horse.

‘Every horse and pony deserves responsible ownership, which includes responsible breeding, selling and rehoming.

‘We’re just glad that Melvin the pony has settled in well at our Penny Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre and has already shown himself to be lovely a little pony and we hope in time we can find him a good home.’