THESE shocking pictures highlight animal cruelty at its worst in Huddersfield.
A tiny Falabella horse, which had a badly broken leg, was tethered to a lamp-post in Lepton and left to die.
The tragic animal - just 32 inches high - had to be put down, despite the best efforts of the RSPCA and a vet.
Now, police and officers from the animal charity are appealing for help in tracking down those who abandoned the suffering animal, a mare thought to be four years old.
Insp John Atkinson, of the RSPCA, said: "It is a terrible case, one of the worst for a long time.
"The animal's leg was so badly broken that the bone was sticking through. It was held on by the flesh.
"It had had that injury for several days and was forced to stand, exhausted. There was nothing the vet could do and the pony had to be put to sleep."
The incident shocked residents in Rowley Lane, who found the distressed horse tied to the lamp-post.
They gave it water until the RSPCA arrived.
A vet summoned early yesterday could not help the stricken animal and it was put down.
Insp Atkinson added: "Witnesses have told us they saw a vehicle and a trailer in the area and the horse was pulled from the trailer to the roadside.
"It is terrible to think someone could do something like this to an animal injured and obviously in pain," he said.
"We want to hear from anyone who has any information about the incident, to help us trap those responsible."
* The RSPCA contact number is 08705 555999.
