Appeal following theft of Shetland ponies from Craghead, Durham

AN appeal has been made for the return of two much-loved miniature ponies following their theft from their stables.
The diminutive Shetlands, Piglet and Rosie, were taken in the second raid in a fortnight at the block, near the home of their owner, horse-lover Ivan Franklin and his wife Joan, in Bloemfontein, Craghead, County Durham.
Three other Shetlands were left untouched in the overnight theft, in Garden Terrace, at the weekend.
Mr Franklin's granddaughter, Stacey Alexander, discovered the theft as she was on her way to visit her grandparents on Saturday morning.
"I was driving past and saw the fence was pulled down at the front.
"The same thing happened a couple of weeks ago, and the fence was damaged then, so I knew what had happened.
"The last time, which was overnight on a Friday, a neighbour caught the thieves in the act and chased them, but they got away."
Miss Alexander said the handles were forced off the stable door and this time two of the ponies appear to have been taken, although three other Shetlands were untouched.
"The two that they got were my grandda's favourites.
"He's had ponies for 20 years now and loves looking after them. He's straight over on a morning to look after them and this has left him devastated."
She believes the ponies may have been targeted with a view to being sold with Christmas approaching.
Anyone with information about the theft is asked to contact Durham Police, on 0845-60-60-365.

(Reproduced from the Northern Echo, 11th November)

GARDIEN TIP: Stables are no different from any other outbuilding in terms of security. See our advice at http://www.garden-security.co.uk/shed-outbuilding-security.aspx