Vulnerable ponies roaming on a common are being driven at and knocked over by joy riders in cars, a rescue charity has claimed.
In scenes reminiscent of controversial video game Grand Theft Auto, where players carry out acts of violence behind the wheel of a car, joy riders head up to Gelligaer Common and have contests to see how many ponies they can hit.
The claims have been made the Welsh Pony Rescue and Rehoming Charitable Trust, based in Caerphilly.
The ponies’ injuries are such that the charity has no option but to call in a vet and put the poor animals to sleep.
Tracy Williams, a volunteer with the charity, said: “We have joy riders go up to Gelligaer and have competitions to see how many they can hit.
“We had one this week – a three-month-old foal where the leg was broken and had to be put down.
“I’ve been working on Gelligaer Common since last year and I know of at least ten to 15 ponies that have been put to sleep because they have been hit with cars.”
Mrs Williams added: “How can someone be so cruel? It really is pitiful to see how these animals are.”
Joy riders driving at helpless animals is not the only act of cruelty on Gelligaer Common.
The Welsh Pony Rescue and Rehoming Charitable Trust recently rescued a foal which had been stabbed.
Mrs Williams explained: “We had a call to say there was an injured pony on Gelligaer Common. We were under the impression it had been run over because there was a flap of skin.
“It took us three days to be able to catch it. Unusually for a foal, this one was really afraid of people.
“After getting her to the sanctuary we called a vet and they told us she was stabbed. It’s quite a deep wound.
“She also suffered a blow to the head causing a haematoma – so it looks seems either she was hit by a blunt object or punched. It’s unbelievable.”
The foal, which is believed to be three to four-months-old has been christened Suzanna by volunteers and is being cared for at the charity’s sanctuary on Caerphilly Mountain.
A spokeswoman from Gwent Police said the force was appealing for information.
She said: “The attack is believed to have taken place between Tuesday, August 1 and Tuesday, August 8. The animal is believed to have suffered injuries consistent with being stabbed.
“Anyone who saw the incident or has any information is asked to call 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting log number 444 11/8/17.”
The Welsh Pony Rescue and Rehoming Charitable Trust can be contacted at enquiries@welshponyrescue.org.uk.
Donations are welcome and can be made online at https://goo.gl/y669qR.