Police criticise "sensationalist" media reports as Dartmoor pony death attributed to "natural causes"

Devon and Cornwall Police have finalised their enquiries into last month's death of a Dartmoor pony.

Some initial media reports linked the death of the pony to satanic cults and ritualistic killing as police investigated the possibility of deliberate mutilation.

However, the police have sought the advice of experts and have come to the view that the death of the pony was through natural causes. All the injuries can be attributed to those caused by other wild animals, they report.

Criticising local media coverage of the story and seeking to reassure the public and tourist industry, a police spokesperson said: "This incident received significant media reporting, some of which was clearly sensationalist."

"Dartmoor National Park is a significant tourist attraction and the police are keen to reassure both the local community and visitors to the area that there is no evidence of any human involvement in the death of this pony."

The two-month-old pony was found dead on on moorland at Yennadon Down, Dousland, Yelverton near Plymouth on Tuesday 23 July.

In an initial statement, police said the body showed signs of deliberate mutilation and officers were investigating the possibility that the body had been left in some kind of ritualistic way.

You can find The Plymouth Daily's original story here.