A YOUNG woman today pleaded with youths: ‘Leave my pony alone.’ Yobs have been throwing stones and kicking footballs at Kelly Roberts’s Shetland pony Honey, which is kept on private land on Portland.

Kelly is sickened by the assaults, which have brought the 19-year-old animal out in lumps.

It does not require veterinary treatment but police are treating it as an animal welfare issue and are keen to find the attackers.

“I don’t know who is using my pony for target practice but can they please stop it,” Kelly pleaded.

Keen rider Kelly, 20, who is a sales assistant at Morrisons and lives in Channel View Road, Easton, bought Honey last October. She wanted it as a companion for a horse she intends to buy later this year and has discovered that Honey makes a good children’s riding pony.

Honey is being kept in a field behind the Weston estate near Blacknor Fort.

Kelly said: “My dad Gary first noticed some kids bothering Honey in the field a while ago and he chased them away. It seems they are intent on harassing her as the last time I came up I found sticks and stones in the field as well as a football.

“She is really stressed out and is covered in lumps and bruises on her back leg and across her side. The latest mark I have found is on her nose. It’s not fair for her to be picked on in this way.”

Kelly said Honey is interested in people and goes towards them if they call her from the footpath, but she has noticed a change in her behaviour.

“For her to be running up and down the field at a full pelt gallop is very unusual. I’m really worried about her.

“I visit her every day but I can’t be here all the time to protect her.”

Sergeant Yvonne Bevan of Weymouth and Portland police has put posters up in the area in the hope that walkers will come forward with information an help identify the offenders.

Sgt Bevan said: “Youths have been throwing stones at this pony and we are keen to trace those people who are causing unnecessary suffering to this animal.

“There are lots of horses kept on Portland and we don’t want anything happening to them.”

Anyone with information can contact police in confidence on 01305 222222.