Horses have been left in the cold by thieves who are literally taking the coats from their backs.
Owners have been warned by police to be vigilant after a spate of more than 90 thefts across West Yorkshire.
In one of them, a horse owner at Hunsworth, near Cleckheaton, had 11 horse rugs stolen in one night.
West Yorkshire Police Horse Watch co-ordinator for Bradford South PCSO Julie Hansord urged owners to take added precautions.
She said: “These thieves are looking for easy opportunities to remove these items with a view to selling them on. The coats are not cheap to replace.
“Many of the animals do not have other shelter and rely upon the warmth they provide.
“Some of the rugs have been marked with postcodes and have been secured to the horse with a padlock, but they are still being removed.
“I have received a report from a Bradford Horse Watch member who has had 11 of the rugs taken.
“Most of these were marked with the postcode BD12. Some had distinctive cow and apple prints.”
Anyone with information should contact police on 0845 6060606, or Crimestoppers, in confidence, on 0800 555 111.
- See the full story in the T&A
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