A horse has been found dead at this year’s Appleby Horse Fair.
The RSPCA was called at around 12.40pm today, Saturday June 6, to a grass verge on the road into Brampton.
Animal welfare officers, vets, fire and rescue officers and police attended.
There is no cause of death, but the RSPCA said it looked like he may have died in suspicious circumstances.
The piebald gelding, who was around 14hh, has distinctive markings, being mostly white with black patches, all white legs with feathers and a black tail.
Vets aged him as being between five and seven.
He was not shod and looks to have been recently gelded.
The RSPCA said a trader’s mark appeared to be sprayed on the horse’s body in blue/green paint and had been altered in an apparent attempt to disguise the trader’s identity.
RSPCA chief inspector Lyndsey Taylor said: “This is a very upsetting incident.
“At the moment we don’t know the cause of this horse’s death, but it seems as though he may have died in suspicious circumstances.
“We are looking for evidence of him being worked, handled or traded and want to hear from the person responsible for him, or anyone who can help us to identify them.
“Do you know what colour sulky or tack was he wearing? Was he tied to a horsebox?
“Can you give us any number plates associated with him if he’s been pulled off a lorry?”
Anyone with information is asked to approach an RSPCA officer or police officer at the fair, or call the RSPCA on 300 1234 999 and quote incident number 01822356.
