Projectile from weapon found in field with horses
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A local horse owner has expressed concern after finding a crossbow bolt in a field on her property.
Anne Budge, of Knockglass Farm and Stables, which is situated on the B870 Mybster to Watten road, spotted the bolt in a paddock as she returned from the school run this morning (Friday).
"I could not believe it, it is absolutely disgraceful," she said. "We have had the police out, they came out quite promptly which is great. We are not really sure if the horses were the target or if it was some other wildlife we have – there are certainly lots of rabbits going about here.
"It is a bit of a thought that somebody has been looking about your property. The way the arrow had landed it obviously had been shot from our property."
Commenting on the effect a crossbow projectile could have, the mum of two young children, Ella (9) and Connor (5), said: "It is clearly quite disturbing for everybody around about. You do not know if it is a trend going on.
"Thankfully the ponies were unaffected by it. They were all quite quiet and settled in the field."
Anne is not sure when the incident took place, she had checked the ponies, which are in a field out of eyeshot of the house, on Thursday evening.
"I did not see it until the morning when doing the school run," she explained. "I saw this flicker of red and did a double take. I abandoned the car and went and checked."
There had been four ponies in the field, her own Highland, her daughter's pony, a retired companion and a miniature Shetland.
Anne said: "They are all quite special in their own way. The thought of any of them being injured in any way I can't bear to think about."
She continued: "It is so out of the blue. You see these thing happening down the line – it is not something you expect in your own fields. It is quite worrying."
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Around 10.55am on Friday, May 28, officers were called to the Watten area near Wick, following concern that a crossbow bolt had been found in a field. Enquiries were carried out and there was no sign of any criminality. Suitable advice was provided."
The crossbow bolt was taken away by the police.
