CALLOUS thieves have stolen a tiny Shetland pony foal from its mother.

And owner John Prest fears the thieves may be stealing to order.

Izzy, the five-month-old filly foal, was snatched from a field in Upper Hopton, Mirfield, where it was being suckled by its mother.

The tiny Shetland miniature foal, standing only 20 inches high, was taken in the middle of the night by thieves who cut their way through a wooden fence around the field.

Other ponies in the field were ignored.

It is the latest in a series of horse thefts around West Yorkshire, including two at Grange Moor.

There are fears that thieves are stealing to order, as the horses cannot be sold at genuine sales without the necessary paperwork.

Mr Prest, who has kept Shetlands for years, is distraught.

“She is a beautiful foal and I was intending to keep her and start breeding.

“In the past I have travelled to the Shetland Isles to get my horses but Izzy was born here five months ago.

“Her mother is very upset. These crimes are not only immensely distressing for us as a family but also for the ponies involved.

“They are valuable animals. Izzy is probably worth anything up to 1000 guineas, while some of the others can be worth much more.”

Mr Prest, of Mirfield, has other Shetlands in his fields and is stepping up security.

Police have been alerted about the theft and pleas for help have been posted across the internet.