Reward for return of Dotty the horse

12:30pm Wednesday 13th August 2008

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A HORSE lover is seeking help to find her treasured pet, which she believes was stolen from its field.

Mandy Joyce's horse Dotty disappeared in the middle of the night two weeks ago and she has since been informed of a mystery rider travelling bareback across the county that same night.

The skewbald mare with distinctive brown dots on her face disappeared from her field at Woolland Hill near Sturminster Newton and Miss Joyce is convinced that Dotty was the horse spotted in several villages, including near Winterborne Kingston around 15 miles away.

Miss Joyce, of Greenacres, Belchalwell, said: "I went to check on her in the morning and she had gone. I just panicked.

"At first I thought she had got out but I checked and all the gates were closed. I reported her missing, I emailed people and rang everybody I knew.

"As word got about people got in touch saying they had seen a horse being ridden through Milton Abbas and Winterborne Whitechurch the same night she went missing and it was last spotted going towards Winterborne Kingston at about 12.15am.

"Apparently there was a person riding her bareback with a rope through her mouth."

Miss Joyce, 51, is desperate to be reunited with her horse and is asking anyone who sees a horse with Dotty's distinct markings to get in touch.

She said: "My horses are my pets, they are part of the family and I have had Dotty for about five years.

"She's very friendly and would go up to anybody. She's not scared of people.

"I'm beginning to get a bit despondent. It's been two weeks and as each day goes by she could be moved a bit further away.

"But I am hoping she is still in this area and if anyone sees her I am asking them to get in touch.

"I just want her back. It's the not knowing where she is that is really difficult. I'm really spent as to where I can go next."

PC Julie Hankin from Sturminster Newton Police said: "The horse went missing from the field overnight and we haven't got an awful lot to go on.

"We would like to appeal for any information the public can give us, no matter how insignificant it may seem, and we will follow it up."

Anyone with information is asked to contact PC Hankin on 01305 222222.

Miss Joyce is also offering a reward for the safe return of Dotty and asks anyone who can help trace the animal to call her on 07792 693162.