Animal lovers in fear

Terrified horse owners Rob and Ann Dalton arrived moments after their mare Ruby was injured, suffering deep eight inch gash in her chest.

They believe their year-old mare was slashed deliberately and fear that someone capable of such cruelty could still be at large.

The gaping wound was so deep it left the yearling in danger of being put to sleep by a vet.

Ruby - a 15-hand imported American Paint breed - had been left out to pasture in the paddock which backs on to the Dalton's home, at Park Road in Swarland, a tiny village near Alnwick, for just two hours before the ripper struck.

Mr Dalton, 45, who works in the justice system, said: "We've only had Ruby for six months, and she's a lovely mare. There was a big fear we would have to have her put down, because she was given only a 50-50 chance of recovery.

Fortunately, she's now on the mend, but it has made us very suspicious about what - or who - could have caused such a terrible wound."

A spokesman for Northumbria Police said the incident had been logged, but was not subject to any further investigation because it was uncertain whether a crime had actually been committed.