Clydesdale horse's tail cut off
BBC News

A horse has had a 2.5ft (0.76m) section of its tail cut off while it was in a field at Bridge of Allan.

Central Scotland Police said the Clydesdale was attacked sometime between 1030 BST on 20 April and 0930 BST on Wednesday 21 April.

The force said the animal's tail bone was not cut in the incident.

The attack marks the second time in recent months that horses in the Central Scotland Police area have had their tails cut off.

A force spokeswoman said: "We appeal for anyone who may have information as to who did this or who saw anything suspicious.

"The animal has not suffered as the tail bone was not interfered with but we need to trace the person responsible."

-----------------
Horse thieves braiding manes to mark horses for theft

The braiding of horses' manes is being used as a code to mark the animals for theft, police have said.

Following a warning from Fife Constabulary about 10 cases have been reported in the past couple of weeks.

Pc Ian Laing said: "It probably happens throughout all of Scotland. It is certainly a problem throughout England."

He urged horse owners to be on their guard and to report any braiding found on manes or other suspicious activity.

Officers said a variety of horses had been targeted in this way and it was not only expensive thoroughbreds which were coveted by the horse thieves.

Pc Laing also recommended that all horse owners register on the HorseWatch Scotland website for more local information about, and better local protection from, equine crime.