SEVEN ponies in West Dorset have been seized by police following concerns over their condition.

Officers from the Dorset Police rural crime team visited a field in the West Dorset area yesterday (November 19) alongside the RSPCA and the World Horse Welfare charity as part of an ongoing welfare investigation.

Following an assessment by a vet, the ponies were seized under the Animal Welfare Act (2006) to prevent “unnecessary suffering”, police said.

“The ponies are now receiving the care and treatment they need,” a spokesperson said.

“The investigation into this matter remains live so we are unable to share any more detail at this time.”