Horse left paralysed with gaping slash wounds and a cracked skull after brutal knife and hammer attack
Domino suffered severe nerve damage in the vicious attack but the vet is hopeful he may recover
A HORSE was left partly paralysed with a cracked skull and slash wounds after being attacked with a knife and hammer.
Domino, a 13-year-old black and white trotter cross, was found in agony in his paddock by owner Tracey Nash, 50.
A vet said he had been attacked with a large knife and a hammer.
His face had been gouged near his eyes and sinuses, which is likely to leave him paralysed due to nerve damage.
Police are hunting the attackers, who struck early on Saturday evening in Milton Keynes.
Constable David Spencer said: "This was a violent attack on a horse which has sustained appalling injuries. Clearly this will have caused a high degree of suffering and distress to the horse, and it is not yet clear as to whether the horse will survive."
He added: "The vet who examined the injuries says it is almost impossible that these were caused accidentally as the force used means it is extremely likely the impacts were caused by a human being.
"Access to the paddocks can only be gained via footpaths, and the closest road is the H7 and Newport Road."
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The RSPCA is also investigating. Inspector Susan Haywood said: "We are very concerned that someone deliberately inflicted these injuries on an innocent animal.
"Domino’s owner is understandably devastated and can’t understand why someone would do this.
"Domino is currently being cared for by a vet, who has stitched up the horrific injuries. The vet was of the opinion that whoever did this to Domino did so with a lot of force, and all of the wounds are clear cut, suggesting a knife was used.
"Bones in his face were broken too, which has led the vet to believe that a hammer was also used in the attack.
"He will take a long time to recover from this. Currently he is on pain relief and is being treated for tendon damage to his face, but the vet is hopeful that in time he will get better."
A crowdfunder has now been set up to help pay Domino's vet bills.