Ponies mauled – but who was the mystery dog owner who left £200 and a false name?

Minty and Treacle, the miniature Shetland ponies savagely attacked by two dogs, are slowly making a recovery from their wounds.

Both have had stitches, painkillers and antibiotics and have been put on stable rest.  But they are still showing signs of being traumatised after the attack last week in their paddock.  Their owner, Julie Sykes, said they were found huddled together comforting each other after the attack.  Since then the ponies have been nervous around people. But she is hopeful of a full recovery and they will once again be ridden by very young children.

Julie was  surprised at the weekend when a young man arrived at the yard on Little Ees Lane, in Ashton-on-Mersey with his girlfriend and young baby.  He wanted to apologise for the attack. Julie explains: “I was angry at first. I said he had only come round because he knew people were looking for him.

“I asked him how he could have left my ponies like it did and he said he was really sorry.  He said he hadn’t been able to sleep properly since it had happened.  He did seem genuinely very sorry and I told him we should learn from incidences like these.

“He handed me £200 in cash and give me his name.  He said he would muzzle the dogs from now on and keep them on a lead.  It was only later when I told the police he had been that I found out he had given me a false name!”

Julie has told the police she does not want to pursue the case further. “I think he has leaned his lesson,” she said.

The ponies were grazing in the paddock when they were attacked by a black Staffordshire Bull Terrier and a black and Grey Staffordshire or Pitbull-type dog.  The man was seen on CCTV calling back his dogs and walking off.

Julie moved to the yard at Christmas and had partially opened two weeks ago and was waiting for land to dry out before starting lessons for young children wanting to learn how to ride safely on the tiny ponies.

She has now bought electric fencing to put up in an area for the ponies which she hopes will  keep dogs out.  In the last week she has received hundreds of messages of support.  She said:”It has been horrible, but there have been so many messages on Facebook and offers of help.  People have been wonderful.” She hopes to start her  Saturday club,  Mother and Toddler groups and other lessons as the ponies heal.