A COOKHILL woman is urging people to stop feeding animals toxic food on their daily walks after her ponies became seriously ill.
Seranna Barnett says her two rescued Shetland ponies, Sally and Jenny, had to undergo urgent treatment after eating food which was fed to them by members of the public - with one becoming critically ill.
She says the problem is happening across Worcestershire, with Seranna describing it as a "pandemic of the horse world."
Her pony Sally has only just recovered from an inflamed oesophagus, mouth and intestinal tract, which could have killed her.
It took Sally ten days to recover after receiving around the clock medical care, which cost the owner £1900 in vet bills.
Seranna said: "It's a massive expense and it could have been avoided. It's happening all over the place."
The 44-year-old business owner says her ponies were fed 'bizarre' food including potatoes, bread and cauliflower at their field in New End.
She said: "The one pony Sally was critically ill for ten days. Somebody has been feeding them from the footpath.
"A loaf of break could kill a pony. I don't think people are doing it maliciously. It's causing deaths and serious illnesses to horses in the Worcestershire area."
"It’s becoming a big problem over this lockdown period especially as more people are walking."
Seranna is now trying to raise awareness of the problem by asking walkers to think before feeding animals.
She added: "Don't feed animals unless you have permission from the owner. They all have allergies and special requirements.
"A foal died in Worcestershire last week after being fed. It's like a pandemic in the horse world. I can't believe what's happening."
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