Heartbroken boy wants stolen pony home for Christmas

A hearbroken five-year-old boy has teamed up with the RSPCA to help find his best-friend, a 24-year-old Shetland cross Welsh Pony.

Tic-Toc, the elderly pony was stolen from his paddock in Cambridgeshire over two weeks ago prompting his young owner Josh Carnagie to seek help from the general public.

Josh’s mum Catriona Carnegie said: “Josh is absolutely devastated. He has grown up with Tic Toc, they are best friend. Last year he wrote a letter to Father Christmas asking him to make Tic Toc better because he knows he’s on medication for his feet.

“He talks about Tic Toc all the time, he’s been asking why he hasn’t seen him, when he can visit him and when he can ride him.

“I didn’t want to tell Josh that Tic Toc has been stolen but I’ve had to tell him that he’s not living with us anymore. I said he’s gone to retirement home because his feet are bad and hopefully he might come back to us.

“He is absolutely devastated, he’s heartbroken. All we want is to have Tic Toc back for Christmas.”

His owners have gone to every length to see Tic-Toc return home starting a facebook campaign, contacting their local amateur pilots clubs and even offering a £6,000 reward for the pony’s return.

Tic-Toc also suffers from a condition called Cushings which affect his feet and gives him a distinctive curly coat.

Cathy Hyde the Chief Equine inspector at the RSPCA said: “It’s absolutely heartbreaking, Tic Toc is obviously a much-loved part of the family and we want to see him back where he belongs as quickly as possible.

“Without his medication Tic Toc could suffer severe dietary problems including colic so it’s absolutely essential that he’s returned for his own health and welfare.

“The RSPCA’s equine inspectors have all got Tic Toc’s details and are keeping an eye out for him on their travels, we have also shared the information with some of our partner charities and equine experts.

“It’s great that so many people are looking for this little pony, we sincerely hope he’ll be back with his family for Christmas.”

Extensive searches have been carried out for Tic Toc in the area including a sweep by a helicopter with a thermal camera.

Celebrities including sports presenter Clare Balding, Olympians Zara Phillips and Charlotte Dujardin, Strictly star Deborah Meaden, comic Eddie Izzard and chef Gordon Ramsey are also helping the search by Tweeting about Tic Toc.

Anyone with information about Tic Toc’s whereabouts should contact the police as soon as possible.