INFORMATION that may lead to the identification of a person or people responsible for spray-painting Mills Bomb Shell Hole resident pony, at its stable in Warner Beach, on August 8, is being sought.

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The incident happened at night because it was only discovered the next day in the morning. A case was opened at the Amanzimtoti Police Station and is under investigation. The light-coloured pony, named Amy, was found with black stripes sprayed on her with paint to make her look like a zebra.

Carol Lane, a resident helping to look for the culprit, said the incident happened in the stable and might have involved more than one person as one may have had to hold the animal while the other did the spraying.

Amy, who spends her days peacefully grazing in her paddock before turning in for the night, was shaken by her unplanned transformation. Her caretakers have managed to remove most of the paint, but the memory of the ordeal, and a few stubborn stripes, still linger.

“I would like to think that we have all done stupid things when alcohol is involved, but I feel that this pony needs some spoiling like many carrots and some essentials to make up for the scare,” said Lane.

Under Section 2 of the Animal Protection Act 1962, anyone found guilty of acts that cause an animal to suffer is liable to a fine, imprisonment or both for up to a year. The SPCA also encourages the public to report all cases of animal abuse as its mandate is to focus on cases where the Act is being contravened.

Tip-offs that may lead to the identification of the person/s responsible can be emailed to Lane at carol@c-lane.co.za.

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