The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) is appealing for information after the body of a horse was found “fly-tipped like rubbish” on a remote country lane near Dunmow on the morning of February 13.

Passers-by discovered the emaciated piebald cob horse on New Pasture Lane, Stebbing, and immediately alerted the RSPCA, police, and local authority, who arranged for the horse's body to be taken away.

The RSPCA believes that the young horse may have already been dead for a few days before she was found. Her body was said to be in a poor condition, with both the horse's hips and spine protruding.

It is suspected that the horse was driven to the location on a trailer or truck, with rope found nearby suggesting that the horse was tied to a farm gate and then dragged onto the floor, as the vehicle drove away.

However, there is still no concrete information regarding the incident and the RSPCA is appealing for anyone with any other knowledge to come forward.

Adam Jones, RSPCA inspector, said: "It's incredibly sad to think someone not only let her get into a poor state of health, but then dumped her body for somebody else to deal with. It's hugely irresponsible.

"I'm keen to find out more about this poor pony - how her body came to be dumped here, and who owns her and allowed her to get into such a poor state of health.

"Anyone with information can contact me in complete confidence on our inspector appeal line by calling 0300 123 8018."

The abandonment of seriously ill or dead horses has sadly become a common occurrence in recent years.

According to the RSPCA, in 2019, the charity helped to take in more than 820 horses in addition to those already in its care, and received over 20,000 calls about horses to the emergency helpline.

For more information on how to help the RSPCA continue rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming animals in need of care, you can visit: https://www.rspca.org.uk or call the donation line on 0300 123 8181.