THE ISPCA RESPONDED to an urgent call to rescue a pony in pain in Cork earlier this week.

Inspector Lisa O’Donovan found the injured pony in a green area behind a terrace of houses in the north side of the city.

O’Donovan said the pony, who has now been called Bert, looked like he had been set on fire.

He had a serious wound on his back that was severely infected and oozing pus. There was also a heavy infestation of maggots, she said.

This is a shocking injury, the young cold was suffering horrendously.”

A vet confirmed that the injuries were sustained in a fire. The time-frame suggests that the incident occurred on Halloween weekend.

It is “quite possible” the yearling colt was doused in a flammable substance and set alight, said the ISPCA.

Bert was given immediate pain relief and medication for a high fever. He was seized by the Gardaí and is now in the Victor Dowling Centre in Mallow.

The animal welfare organisation said that if Bert was not rescued on Tuesday  he would have suffered a long and painful death.

Although a full recovery is expected, it will be a slow process but he is getting the full care and attention of the centre staff.

We are very hopeful that Bert will recover,” said O’Donovan. “The torture he endured during this mindless act of cruelty is beyond comprehension. To think of the suffering he endured and yet he was such a calm gentle animal while we were working to save him. It’s a barbaric act of cruelty and shocking to say that such things are going on in what we perceive to be a civilised society”.

The ISPCA has appealed for information from the public about the incident. They believe it happened between October 29 and October 31 in the Fairhill, North Monastery area of the city. Anyone who thinks they can help should contact 1890 515 515.