http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/10203728/Satanic-cult-blamed-for-killing-of-Dartmoor-pony-in-full-moon-ritual.html
Police are investigating after the two-month old male was found
surrounded by circular patches of burnt moorland, with traces of
white paint on one of its legs.
Experts believe this suggests it was killed as part of a bizarre
ceremony, after a spate of animal sacrifices by gangs of satanic
worshippers on Dartmoor.
The male was found with its tongue and eyes cut out, and its
genitals and right ear sliced off at Yennadon Down, a remote, bushy
area of the Devon National Park.
Karla McKechnie, Dartmoor’s Livestock Protection Officer, said
she feared “witches or devil worshippers” were behind the
slaughter.
"We do get strange things happening from time to time, normally
when it’s a full moon”, Ms McKechnie said.
"I've come across strange circles in the ground, boulders used
as altars, that sort of thing, but thankfully animal mutilations
are rare.
"I suspect its witches or devil worshippers but it's always hard
to get to the bottom of it.
"My main concern is how someone has been able to walk up to a
foal and kill it in the middle of the night. I'm almost certain
more than one person was involved."
Jenny Thornton, of the South West Equine Protection, said
Dartmoor ponies have become easy targets because they are used to
being fed by humans.
Ms Thornton said: "I've seen plenty of dead animals but this was
horrendous. The belly has been sliced open. It's a boy and its
genitals had been cut off.
"The tongue had been pulled out and his eyes are missing. There
have always been rumours of animal sacrifices and sheep have been
found dead in the past, often around the time of a full moon.
"All we can be absolutely certain of is that someone has caused
unnecessary suffering to an animal, possibly severe suffering if it
was still alive at the time."
Last year a two-year-old horse belonging to Dawn Jewell, 27 was
found mutilated on the day of satanic animal sacrifice.
Eric was found dead in his field near Stithians close to
Falmouth, Cornwall, with his right eye gouged out, his teeth
removed and his genitals hacked off after a full moon.
As police hunted those responsible, Inspector Chris Strickland
said there was "a strong possibility" that Eric was the victim of a
satanic ritual.
Speaking at the time, he said: "There are people out there with
these beliefs. It's one line we will pursue."
In 2006 around 100 sheep animals were found slaughtered with
their tongues, eyes and sexual organs removed on Dartmoor.
And in June of this year police appealed for information after
two horses were found with "gaping" knife wounds in neighbouring
fields in the village of Stokeinteignhead, Devon.
