A HORSE resting in a stable was subjected to a savage stabbing attack that left it with horrific injuries. The incident happened on Saturday between 5am and 6am at Moat House, Banyards Green, Laxfield, near Halesworth.

A HORSE resting in a stable was subjected to a savage stabbing attack that left it with horrific injuries.

The incident happened on Saturday between 5am and 6am at Moat House, Banyards Green, Laxfield, near Halesworth.

The horse, named Banah and owned by Simone Peck, suffered injuries including a deep gash to the rear as well as a cut across the face.

The alarm was raised by Hedley Griffin, a member of spiritual healing group the Erasmus Foundation, which uses Moat House as their headquarters.

He said: “We always have someone on site to keep an eye on things overnight.

“Between 5am and 6am on Saturday I heard the dogs barking but this isn't unusual because they bark at anything so I didn't get up to investigate.

“However I obviously wish I had now because when I got up in the morning to check the horse I found it had been stabbed in the rear and slashed across the face.

“It was obviously very distressed and in a lot of pain so I called the vet immediately and he arrived to sedate it. He stitched up the wound on the face but said he was unable do anything about the injury to the back because if he stitched it up the horse would go lame.”

Mr Griffin said he thought it was important that other horse owners knew about the stabbing so they could take measures to protect their animals.

“It really was the most horrendous and inhumane attack,” he said. “We have Shetland Ponies here as well but they were fine because they were out in the fields moving about however because this horse was in a stable he couldn't get out and was vulnerable.

“I just think it is important for people to know that this type of thing is going on so they can keep a look out and take steps to safeguard their own horses.”

A spokesman for Suffolk Police said: “We had a phone call from a place in Laxfield around 11am on Saturday.

“They reported that an individual or group of people had entered the stables and slashed the horse in the buttock and to the face.

“Because it happened in a remote area and in the early hours of the morning it is unlikely anyone saw anything however anybody that thinks they can help should give us a call immediately.”

Anyone with information should contact Suffolk police on 01473 613500.