Horse's tail cut off and nailed to gate near Newport
A horse's tail was nailed to a gate in what police said could be a ominous sign of upcoming thefts in the area.
The animal's owner arrived to groom her animals before seeing one their tails had been cut and nailed to a gate.
She reported that the horse's mane had also been cut at some point during the daylight hours on Monday.
The horse was in a field just off the A41 at Meretown, near Newport, on the Shropshire/Staffordshire border.
Staffordshire police have issued a statement telling other animal lovers in the area to be on their guard, as similar incidents have been a sign of upcoming thefts.
Ash Connor for Staffordshire Police said: "This sort of incident has, in the past, been seen as a mark that horses are about to be stolen and Staffordshire Police would like to warn horse owners to be on their guard and to make sure their horses are kept as securely as possible."
They asked that any similar incidents be reported to Staffordshire Police on 101, quoting incident number 606 of October 17.
Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or at crimestoppers-uk.org
