POLICE are investigating a brutal and sick attack on a group of horses. Some of the animals had their manes and tails hacked off.

One horse was dragged to the ground with ropes and stabbed with a fence pole, while others suffered cuts to their legs and flanks.

It was the second time in four weeks the horses have been attacked.

Horse owner Renata Leonard, 36, from Medway Marina, Rochester, was one of seven people who held a 24-hour vigil to ensure the sick attackers didn’t strike again.

They kept watch until the horses could be moved from their field, at Hermitage Farm, off Hermitage Lane, Higham.

Insp Michael Millen, of Kent Police, described the attack as “nasty and brutal. We are appealing for witnesses to come forward and help us find who committed this mindless attack.

“This is the second time in four weeks that these horses have been targeted and wounded.”

The attack happened at around 4pm on Friday. Mrs Leonard’s horse, Kala, was fortunate to suffer only a few scratches in Friday’s attack.

Mrs Leonard said: “I have had my horse Kala for 14 years and I love him so much. He is one of six horses who live in the field at Hermitage Farm. I am so horrified and angered by what has happened to him.

"Four weeks ago he was attacked with a Stanley knife in his leg and needed eight stitches. Abnd now someone has hurt him again. What kind of a heartless thug could do this to a helpless animal?"

Mrs Leonard says she has several times seen a group of yobs in the woods near the field and believes they may be responsible for the attacks."

Phil Donaghue, 60, from Northfleet, owns five of the horses which live in the field. He said: "I am sickened and angry but I will not be driven away. I will fight and keep my horses in the field and help find their cruel attackers"

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.