THE hunt is on for the owner of this poor pony who left her to starve.

Petal, as she was named, was found at the road in the Black Mountains near Longtown, last week.

But the filly was so emaciated and anaemic that she had to be put down.

She had been found by a member of the public who contacted the RSPCA.

Inspector Suzi Smith said: "She was in a terrible state when she was rescued and despite a battle to turn her health around, the vet was sadly unable to save her.

“Petal was very underweight and in poor condition which could have been avoided by making sure she had forage accessibility over winter and parasite control.

“Whether owners keep their equines domestically or on the hills, they have a responsibility to ensure their needs are met by providing a suitable diet, sufficient to keep them healthy, and to have a regular worming programme to ensure internal parasites are controlled.

“As she had no microchip it’s impossible for us to trace her owner at this time. I’m hoping that someone will know who she belongs to, or have seen something that might help us to trace the person or people who owned this poor pony.

“Anyone with any information should call us on our inspector appeal line 0300 123 8018 and ask to leave a message for me.”