POLICE are appealing for information after two dead horses were dumped underneath a pile of rubbish in a lay-by.
Michael Spurr informed a Wath Facebook group about the find on Abdy Road before the post was shared on social media by concerned locals and relayed to the police.
Rotherham Council disposed of the "starved" bodies on Tuesday.
Sue Ardron, from Yorkshire Horse Watch, said: "The RSPCA scanned the ponies for microchips but couldn't find any so they can't be traced.
"We believe it was a mother and its foal. Walkers found them and they had looked malnourished."
A spokesperson from South Yorkshire Police added: "A member of the public called the police at around 4pm on February 8 to report two horses that had been dumped beneath a pile of carpets off Abdy Road.
"The large white horse and smaller black and white horse appeared to have been mistreated - they were without shoes and were covered in mud.
"This is an extremely distressing and upsetting incident and we will do everything in our power to apprehend those responsible.
"We urge anyone who saw any suspicious behaviour in the Abdy Road area on Sunday to contact police on 101 quoting incident number 682 of February 8.
"Alternatively contact the RSPCA or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."
