Update: Police saddled with Shetland pony

Officers were called after the pony was seen running on footpaths and roads in Langley Green at about 1.45pm on Sunday (January 24).

The horse was seen in Crawley Avenue travelling towards Hazelwick Roundabout, in Gatwick Road, Manor Royal, London Road and Langley Drive.

Qadeer Hussain, 21, of Langley Drive, saw it squeeze past parked police cars after it was cornered in Crowne Plaza hotel’s car park.

A police spokesman said the pony was eventually caught in a garden in Short Close at 2.46pm.

A woman offered to take care of the pony in a yard in Charlwood temporarily and officers contacted the RSPCA in a bid to find the owner.

A police spokesman said: “The pony is currently being kept at a private yard and remains the responsibility of Sussex Police until the owner is found.”

A spokesman for the animal welfare charity said: “A member of the public offered to look after the pony for 24 hours.

“We’ve put the member of the public back in touch with police so they can make arrangements to care for the horse because it’s not a welfare [RSPCA] issue.

“The police have the responsibility. I believe they will keep the horse for a certain period of time to allow owners to come forward and hopefully reunite with the pony.”

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