An ‘extremely frightened’ and emaciated pony has been found abandoned on a public footpath in Doncaster.
The RSPCA is appealing for information about the coloured pony who was discovered trapped between two gates by a member of the public walking in Owston Ferry.
After being assessed by a vet, he was taken by RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer Olivia Farrar, with the help of equine charity Bransby Horses, to somewhere safe where his needs would be met.
The RSPCA is now appealing for information in the hope that someone may know who abandoned the pony, who the charity has since nicknamed Niko.
“We found Niko in a particularly poor condition on 27 November – not only was he extremely frightened but he was also very underweight, and his coat was badly matted and soiled,” said Olivia. “It’s always upsetting to find abandoned animals; especially when they are in such a vulnerable state.
“We know these are challenging times for many people, and some may be struggling with the cost of animal care, however abandoning pets is never the answer. We would urge anyone who is in this position to seek help and support.
“We are really hoping someone in the local area may have more details about Niko. If anyone saw anything, or has any information that might help, we would be so grateful to hear from them.”
Anyone with information can contact the charity’s appeal line on 0300 123 8018.
A worrying trend
Niko’s case is far from an isolated incident, with animal abandonments reported to the RSPCA on course to be at a six-year high.
Until the end of October, 24,270 incidents involving abandonment had been raised with the charity’s emergency line – up from 19,727 in the first 10 months of 2024.
In South Yorkshire alone, there were been 660 incidents.
To help frontline teams cope with the rising demand, the RSPCA has launched its Big Give Back to Animals appeal, to raise funds so the charity can continue to be there for animals who have been dumped.
The RSPCA also offers its The RSPCA has a cost of living hub, where they offer advice for owners who may be struggling.
“It’s been a difficult year for many animals, including horses and ponies, and with the temperatures set to drop over the coming months, we are concerned that the situation could become even more challenging,” added Olivia.
