Ramsey St Mary: Pony Found Dead

12 February 2014, 12:50 | Updated: 12 February 2014, 12:55

A missing pony, belonging to a five year-old boy from Ramsey St Mary, has been found dead.

Joshua Carnegie was left in tears when Tic Toc, his white Welsh Shetland cross, disappeared from his field on December 6.

A Facebook appeal was launched for the 24 year-old pet who needed daily medication for an ageing condition called Cushings disease and was of little value.

Joshua's parents Catriona and Andrew even offered a £6,000 for his safe return in time for Christmas. 

Neighbours joined them as they spent ten days frantically searching the fields around their home in Ramsey St. Mary.

But Tic Toc has now been found dead in a field, just half a mile from his home. 

They have alerted the police and the RPSCA who are now appealing for witnesses to explain how he came to be found there. 

Catriona, 24, broke the devastating news to Joshua on Tuesday night. 

She said: "I'm absolutely devastated. 

I'm deflated and empty - I genuinely thought they would find him safe. 

We have no idea what's going on at the moment. We don't know if he was dumped there or how he died, it's just impossible to know at this stage.

It's just a case of waiting.

But they think he'd been there about four weeks. 

I told Joshua last night because I didn't want him to find out from someone else. 

I told him he'd gone to heaven but he doesn't really understand though. 

I sure now things will start getting better now that I've found him, it's at least given me closure." 

Catriona and business manager Andrew, 36, who keep 20 horses, feared that Tic Toc had been stolen. 

An RSPCA spokeswoman said: "Everyone is deeply shocked and saddened to hear about Tic Toc. 

Our thoughts are with Joshua and his family at this difficult time. 

We would urge anyone with information about what happened to Tic Toc to contact us in confidence on 0300 123 8018."