Despite attempts to save the foal

Despite attempts to save the foal Insp Nicky Thorne, from the RSPCA, said when they eventually found the animal at the other end of the field under the plastic sheet she expected to find the animal dead.

She added: "As I pulled it back there was a pony, weak, barely alive and terrified, just dumped and left to die in the dark with his front legs strapped together and his head twisted around over its back."

Despite attempts to save the foal, it died a short while afterwards.Insp Thorne said: "We have good reason to believe that had the foal not been moved it would probably still be alive."