A SHETLAND pony was ‘savaged and mauled’ by two out-of-control dogs roaming the countryside near Dorchester.

It was attacked at Thorncombe Woods after being introduced to the area two weeks ago along with two foals and four other ponies.

Countryside ranger Lawrence Weston said the pony was badly injured in the attack on Thursday.

The Countryside Rangers have now been forced to removed the ponies after taking a year to plan their introduction.

Mr Weston said: “It was one of the mothers that was savaged and mauled.

“A member of the public actually saw it happen and just by a stroke of luck one of my colleagues was on site and contacted me. I got down there straight away and contacted the police and everyone else involved.”

Mr Weston said there were serious concerns for the pony, which was taken to a veterinary clinic for treatment to what they initially feared could have been life-threatening injuries.

Mr Weston said the dogs, a pit bull-type and a mastiff-type, matched the description of two dogs seen at a travellers’ site at Puddletown Forest around a mile away but when police visited the site to seize the animals it was claimed the dogs had gone missing.

Witnesses or anyone with information are asked to contact the officer in the case, PC Hayley Greening on 01305 222222.