A colt being "monitored" by the RSPCA was found on the loose in a public park.

The youngster was discovered at Cuckoo Park, Singleton, Ashford, at the weekend and horse campaigner Fredericka Vann claims her pleas to the RSPCA about its plight were ignored.

She first raised concerns about a mare and the colt, which has been given the name Chance, when the two were seen abandoned in April on land behind Pets at Home at Gallagher Road, Ashford.

Fred says she contacted an RSPCA inspector as the mare's ribs were visible and because the pair had no access to fresh water or food, after which she was assured the colt would be "monitored".

She said: "Within 24 hours the youngster was ripped away from his mum and was seen being beaten up the road as he was led away."

Chance was later found by a group monitoring horse welfare at the Warren site, near John Lewis, before turning up at Cuckoo Park on Saturday.

Fred said: "Chance has been dumped like a piece of rubbish in an Ashford park.

"His future is bleak as he was picked up by police and sent to a 'green yard'."

She asked: "How is it possible that a horse being monitored by the RSPCA has ended up in a green yard? I believe they have a duty of care to Chance."

Green yard is the term for the equine contractors who pick up abandoned horses on behalf of the police.

Fred added: "Let’s face it no owners are going to come forward. There will also be the question of green yard fees and then of course somewhere for this poor boy to go."

Fred added that the situation in Ashford where there are abandoned horses in fields "with no fresh water no shelter and no health care" was not good enough.

A police spokesman said: "We were called to a location near Knoll Lane, Ashford at 6.35am on Saturday following a report of a stray horse.

"The animal's owners could not be identified so the horse was taken in by the force’s equine contractors."

Police said the horse will be kept by the contractors for a maximum of 21 days while appeals are made for its owner to come forward, who will then be required to pay a fee. Unclaimed horses will be re-homed.

Details of the 'green yard' are kept confidential by police, so it was not possible to obtain a comment about Chance's welfare.

A spokesperson for the RSPCA said: “Police have reassured us that the horse was safely recovered and the RSPCA is happy to offer our assistance regarding this horse if our help is needed.”

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