25 ponies found dead

POLICE are appealing for community help after 25 horses were found dead near Glen Innes on the weekend.

Shortly after 12.50pm on Saturday, December 16, police from the New England Local Area Command received a report of a high number of dead ponies.

Officers patrolled an area off the New England Highway on the Ben Lomond Range and eventually located the remains in a truck parking bay about thee kilometres south of Old Ben Lomond Rd.

The officers followed tracks to a nearby cliff and the bodies of 25 dead ponies of various colours and ages in the early stages of decomposition.

In one area police located 22 ponies while three others were found approximately 10 metres away.

An initial examination of the animals did not reveal any obvious wounds on indicate the cause of the deaths.

According to police, there were no brands, tags or any other form of identifying marks that could be seen to assist the officers in locating an owner.

Police have photographed the animals which were then buried at the location.

The officers believe that a small to medium sized truck would have been used to dump the ponies and are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.

Anyone with information about the incident or who saw suspicious or unusual behaviour in the area is urged to contact Glen Innes Police or Crime Stoppers on 1 800 333 000.