North Shropshire family devastated after horse theft
A family is warning horse owners to be on their guard after one of their animals was stolen.
Doctor Gerard Bingham said his wife and sons, Teige and Byron, were devastated to discover Welsh Cobb Ginger had been stolen earlier this month.
And he fears the thieves had made an earlier visit to the stables, in Hodnet, to mark the horse before stealing it.
Dr Bingham, 55, who runs an engineering consultancy, was working away when he got a call the day before Ginger went missing.
His wife, Diane, told him that hair had gone from the mare's face.
"She called the vet thinking it could be sunburn and they said to treat it with some tea tree oil," he said.
"But then the next day I got a call from her saying Ginger had gone so I came home and me and the boys went to search for her, but she was nowhere to be found.
"I reported it to the police and for some reason ended up talking to someone in the police in Birmingham who happened to be a horse enthusiast.
"She told me that sometimes when horses are stolen they can be given new marks so they can have a new passport, and I think that is what has happened here. I think the thieves have re-marked her before coming and stealing her."
Ginger belonged to 11-year-old Teige and was stolen from the family stables at Chantrey Court on July 9.
Dr Bingham said: "My son has had this horse since he was four or five-years-old and learned to ride on her.
"He was upset and devastated when we discovered she had gone because he is a big animal lover and is very fond of her.
"These people have gone to extreme lengths to steal the horse and I want to warn people in the area in case they come across the same thing.
"I'll be honest, I was shocked when I was told this is what they do and I just want to warn people to look out for the same signs in case these people strike again.
"It's sad because Ginger had a foal called Princess who is now left on her own.
"I just want people to be vigilant because it's horrible when it happens.
"Sadly I don't think we will get Ginger back and I don't want anyone to have to deal with the same thing we have."
West Mercia Police spokesman Sarah Lynch said: "We can confirm we did have reports that a horse has been stolen.
"There are no leads at this stage but if anybody has any information then please call us."
Anyone who can help should call 101 quoting the incident number 583S090714.
