Horse hurt in knife slash attack in Ferryhill
A horse is recovering after being slashed with a knife as it grazed in a County Durham field.
The horse, which was one of five in a field at Great Chilton farm in Ferryhill, suffered neck wounds and had its mane cut in the attack on Monday.
The owner, who has not been named, said the other four animals were unhurt.
A Durham Police spokesman said more serious injuries were only averted because the horse was wearing a coat to protect it from the cold.
A force spokesman said: "This animal has been cruelly targeted. His owner says he is very friendly and would go over to someone whereas the others would not.
"Fortunately, he was wearing a coat with another jacket underneath and, while the outer coat had been cut through, the jacket below has helped protect the animal from more serious injury.
"It appears the horse has been attacked with a very sharp knife. Its mane was cut and it had a wound on the bottom of its neck.
"The injured animal is still in a distressed state and the other horses are showing signs of stress."
Police appealed for witnesses.