Sunday, March 15, 2009

Ponies die after neck and groin areas ripped out by pit bulls

OHIO -- Workers at an educational farm are grieving the loss of two Shetland ponies used to teach children about agriculture.

Employees of Learning Tree Farms said two pit bulls surrounded a group of Shetland ponies in a field last Wednesday. Witnesses said the pit bulls cornered two of the ponies and fatally wounded them by biting at their neck and groin areas.

A third pony, named Goldie, was seriously wounded but managed to survive.

Patricia Rau said, "I can't imagine the terror they felt, knowing they can't protect themselves."

Rau said the pit bulls' owner met with animal control officers and agreed to put the pit bulls down. Still, workers at the farm are struggling to deal with the loss of the ponies.

Rau said, "There's a piece missing [here]."

(WHIO - March 15, 2009)