Satanic cult blamed for killing of Dartmoor pony in full moon ritual

Dartmoor ponies will be given a contraceptive next spring in a bid to reduce the number of foals born

Daniel Johnson – 26 July 2013

A Satanic cult has been blamed for the horrific death of a pony which was mutilated in a ring of fire during a full moon.

Police are investigating after the two-month old male was found surrounded by circular patches of burnt moorland, with traces of white paint on one of its legs.
Experts believe this suggests it was killed as part of a bizarre ceremony, after a spate of animal sacrifices by gangs of satanic worshippers on Dartmoor.
The male was found with its tongue and eyes cut out, and its genitals and right ear sliced off at Yennadon Down, a remote, bushy area of the Devon National Park.
Karla McKechnie, Dartmoor’s Livestock Protection Officer, said she feared “witches or devil worshippers” were behind the slaughter.
"We do get strange things happening from time to time, normally when it’s a full moon”, Ms McKechnie said.
"I've come across strange circles in the ground, boulders used as altars, that sort of thing, but thankfully animal mutilations are rare.
"I suspect its witches or devil worshippers but it's always hard to get to the bottom of it.
"My main concern is how someone has been able to walk up to a foal and kill it in the middle of the night. I'm almost certain more than one person was involved."
Jenny Thornton, of the South West Equine Protection, said Dartmoor ponies have become easy targets because they are used to being fed by humans.
Ms Thornton said: "I've seen plenty of dead animals but this was horrendous. The belly has been sliced open. It's a boy and its genitals had been cut off.
"The tongue had been pulled out and his eyes are missing. There have always been rumours of animal sacrifices and sheep have been found dead in the past, often around the time of a full moon.
"All we can be absolutely certain of is that someone has caused unnecessary suffering to an animal, possibly severe suffering if it was still alive at the time."
Last year a two-year-old horse belonging to Dawn Jewell, 27, was found mutilated on the day of satanic animal sacrifice.
Eric was found dead in his field near Stithians close to Falmouth, Cornwall, with his right eye gouged out, his teeth removed and his genitals hacked off after a full moon.
As police hunted those responsible, Inspector Chris Strickland said there was "a strong possibility" that Eric was the victim of a satanic ritual.
Speaking at the time, he said: "There are people out there with these beliefs. It's one line we will pursue."
In 2006 around 100 sheep animals were found slaughtered with their tongues, eyes and sexual organs removed on Dartmoor.

And in June of this year police appealed for information after two horses were found with "gaping" knife wounds in neighbouring fields in the village of Stokeinteignhead, Devon.