'My broken boy was held hostage for 13 months in dreadful conditions - now we need help'
A Sheffield family whose horse was held hostage for 13 months is now appealing for help after his return.
The miniature cob - Mr Sheffield - is said to have been stolen from his secure stable in the city in August last year. His owners were forced to pay for his return, and earlier this month he was finally home but needs ongoing vet care due to the horrific conditions he was kept in.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to raise money for Mr Sheffield's recovery and rehabilitation. The description of the fundraiser described him as a "broken boy" and said his family have suffered "financially, emotionally, physically and need your help."
It said the family received an anonymous call with information about Mr Sheffield's whereabouts, with the person on the other end of the call demanding the reward and more for his safe return.
It has been said proof was sent of Mr Sheffield's whereabouts, as well as footage. The family were forced to sell belongings and borrow money to raise the amount needed before they paid out and made the "long journey to collect him and bring him home."
The description on the fundraiser said: "Mr Sheffield has been kept in dreadful conditions. He has lost a considerable amount of weight and is dehydrated and malnourished. His beautiful coat was clogged with his own s*** and his tail, mane and forelock have been hacked short. His beautiful legs and feet are a mass of heavy painful dreadlocks where he has been stood in his own s*** for 13 months.
"He has barely seen daylight, his eyes are sore and he still has a winter coat. He has sores on his nose and bottom where he has been rubbing in a confined space. He still had the head collar on which is now far too small so it has left sores on his head behind his ears."
The description said Mr Sheffield also has a "horrific" urinary infection and had "fear in his eyes." It added: "But as soon as he saw his mum he knew he was safe. Within a couple of hours his ears were up and he was whinnying."
Mr Sheffield will now need specialist vet care for his coat, feet, eyes and sores. He may also need to see a behaviourist at some point and the family has had to move relocate him and improve security.
More than £7,000 has been raised to help Mr Sheffield. You can donate here.