Children traumatised as animal welfare group blames 'dreadful superstition' fuelled by ignorance
David Smith in Johannesburg
guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 31 May 2011 14.07 BST
A monkey was pelted with stones, shot at and burned to death in a South African township because residents believed it was linked to witchcraft, an animal welfare agency has said.
A mob chanted "Kill that witch!" as the vervet monkey was put in a bucket, doused with petrol and set on fire, according to witnesses. Children who witnessed the killing last week were said to be traumatised.
One resident, Tebogo Moswetsi, admitted he had captured the monkey as it sought refuge up a tree in Kagiso, west of Johannesburg.
"I was curious to see this monkey that people claimed could talk, and when I saw a group of people chasing after it, I joined them," he told South Africa's Star newspaper. "When it went up the tree, I climbed after it and brought it down because I was curious as I found it unbelievable that a monkey could talk.
"I feel guilty. I shouldn't have taken it down from that tree. I dropped it down after someone poured petrol on it. I had no choice."
Moswetsi added: "Someone struck a match. [The monkey] got out of the bucket and dropped down dead. They continued throwing stones at it."
Cora Bailey, manager of Community Led Animal Welfare (Claw) in South Africa, was alerted by a local resident and arrived at a scene of "sheer criminality".
She said: "We just got there too late. What was incredibly sad is that there were so many little children in the crowd – some of them very traumatised.
"There were youngsters literally laughing in my face. But there were older people who were devastated by it. Everyone was saying sorry. While I was talking, the monkey was burning behind me."
Bailey said there is a "dreadful superstition" about monkeys and witchcraft in some communities, fuelled by ignorance that the animals can become separated from their troops or displaced from their natural habitats.
"We deal with this kind of situation on a very regular basis. We usually manage to do crowd control so the monkey doesn't come to any harm."
Bailey said she was horrified by racist comments that have appeared online in reaction to the incident. "Every time this happens, it's people in the community who call us. Cruelty to animals is not a racial thing. I've worked in townships for 20 years and there are good and bad people in all communities."
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/may/31/mob-burns-monkey-as-witch
Showing posts with label witchcraft. Show all posts
Showing posts with label witchcraft. Show all posts
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Thursday, May 5, 2011
UFO, zombie, ghost and witch sightings revealed
Published date: 28 April 2011 |
Published by: Thomas Morton
DYFED Powys Police has revealed how many sightings of UFOs, zombies, ghosts, witches and vampires occurred in the county in the past five years.
The figures, made public because of a Freedom of Information Request Act, reveal 14 recorded UFO sightings in the past five years, along with 26 reports of ghosts, 11 witches and two of zombies and vampires respectively.
One zombie report turned out to be in a horror film being shot in Pembrey; the other a person acting suspiciously wearing a zombie mask in Haverfordwest.
Of the witch reports many of the calls were apparently from the same individual identified as having “mental health issues”. Others simply refer to someone looking “like a witch” but one drunk caller “rang regarding a gang of witches that want to sacrifice him.” There were no reports of werewolves.
Dyfed Powys Police said that they did not find any evidence of supernatural or paranormal activity in any of the cases – however this does not mean every case had an explanation.
UFO sightings included such reports as an “Oblong shaped, bright yellow” object “going horizontally across, about 10 to 15ft off the ground” in Llandrindod Wells in 2005; a “triangular shape in sky with different coloured lights in each corner” in Meifod in 2007; to “three orange lights thought to be UFOs” in Llanidloes in 2009, which ends: “Object seized and discovered to be a night lantern.”
Phil Hoyle of the Shrewsbury-based UFO Research and Investigation Unit said that such statistics were only a fraction of sightings, many of which go officially unreported or are hard to classify.
“Wales has got a lot of UFO hot-spots, particularly on the Shropshire/Welsh border and down around the Radnorshire forest, Knighton, Builth Wells and Llandrindod Wells” he said, saying he had reports from ex-military and police themselves, “The police go through a process of elimination to try to classify it, but people often can’t describe what they have seen - lots of people have reported structured devices, 20 to 30 feet across, quite close up - these are not just lights, and can’t be confused with chinese Lanterns.”
Between 2005 and 2010 there were 36 incidents of big cat sightings or animal deaths where big cats were suspected.
According to the British Big Cat Society’s statistics Wales ranks number four in the UK’s top 10 areas for big cat sightings. Scotland is number one, followed by Kent and Yorkshire.
In response to another request about how much the force had spent on mediums, clairvoyants or other psychics during the last five years it said it did not use such services.
The force has had 3,300 freedom of information requests costing it over £500,000 in the last five years, and has begun to publish these on its website.
Other figures show that in 2010 the force received 21 allegations of crime involving the website ebay and 47 allegations involving the social networking site Facebook.
As of 31 March 2010 there were 294 registered sex offenders living in the force area.
The Dyfed-Powys Police helicopter made 481 flights in 2009 and the force spent £299,078 on its press and communications office and officers in 2009/10.
http://www.countytimes.co.uk/news/101792/ufo-zombie-ghost-and-witch-sightings-revealed.aspx
Published by: Thomas Morton
DYFED Powys Police has revealed how many sightings of UFOs, zombies, ghosts, witches and vampires occurred in the county in the past five years.
The figures, made public because of a Freedom of Information Request Act, reveal 14 recorded UFO sightings in the past five years, along with 26 reports of ghosts, 11 witches and two of zombies and vampires respectively.
One zombie report turned out to be in a horror film being shot in Pembrey; the other a person acting suspiciously wearing a zombie mask in Haverfordwest.
Of the witch reports many of the calls were apparently from the same individual identified as having “mental health issues”. Others simply refer to someone looking “like a witch” but one drunk caller “rang regarding a gang of witches that want to sacrifice him.” There were no reports of werewolves.
Dyfed Powys Police said that they did not find any evidence of supernatural or paranormal activity in any of the cases – however this does not mean every case had an explanation.
UFO sightings included such reports as an “Oblong shaped, bright yellow” object “going horizontally across, about 10 to 15ft off the ground” in Llandrindod Wells in 2005; a “triangular shape in sky with different coloured lights in each corner” in Meifod in 2007; to “three orange lights thought to be UFOs” in Llanidloes in 2009, which ends: “Object seized and discovered to be a night lantern.”
Phil Hoyle of the Shrewsbury-based UFO Research and Investigation Unit said that such statistics were only a fraction of sightings, many of which go officially unreported or are hard to classify.
“Wales has got a lot of UFO hot-spots, particularly on the Shropshire/Welsh border and down around the Radnorshire forest, Knighton, Builth Wells and Llandrindod Wells” he said, saying he had reports from ex-military and police themselves, “The police go through a process of elimination to try to classify it, but people often can’t describe what they have seen - lots of people have reported structured devices, 20 to 30 feet across, quite close up - these are not just lights, and can’t be confused with chinese Lanterns.”
Between 2005 and 2010 there were 36 incidents of big cat sightings or animal deaths where big cats were suspected.
According to the British Big Cat Society’s statistics Wales ranks number four in the UK’s top 10 areas for big cat sightings. Scotland is number one, followed by Kent and Yorkshire.
In response to another request about how much the force had spent on mediums, clairvoyants or other psychics during the last five years it said it did not use such services.
The force has had 3,300 freedom of information requests costing it over £500,000 in the last five years, and has begun to publish these on its website.
Other figures show that in 2010 the force received 21 allegations of crime involving the website ebay and 47 allegations involving the social networking site Facebook.
As of 31 March 2010 there were 294 registered sex offenders living in the force area.
The Dyfed-Powys Police helicopter made 481 flights in 2009 and the force spent £299,078 on its press and communications office and officers in 2009/10.
http://www.countytimes.co.uk/news/101792/ufo-zombie-ghost-and-witch-sightings-revealed.aspx
Friday, September 17, 2010
Witch attempts to wake Loch Ness monster
A white witch and self-proclaimed ‘protector’ of Nessie is setting up a radio station to try and wake the monster.
17 September 2010 15:38 GMT
The high priest of the UK's white witches announced plans to set up a private pirate radio station aimed at just one listener: the Loch Ness Monster.
Paranormal researcher Kevin Carlyon, self-styled "protector" of Nessie, will blast out monster music songs on the banks of Loch Ness in a bid to summon her.
He will transmit ten hits which he believes will get her "in the mood" to make an appearance.
Mr Carlyon, from Sussex, plans to play the music in an illegal FM broadcast and will "strategically place" half a dozen radios around the banks of Loch Ness where he believes the spirit of the monster will be listening
The date is being kept secret because of the illegal nature of the broadcast. The songs haven't yet been chosen but will all have a monster theme tune.
Mr Carlyon has been involved in a series of strange events on the loch over the years.
He said: "I believe the monster is a spirit that lives in the loch. By transmitting the songs via the pirate radio transmission, the spirit, which I believe is telepathic, will pick up on it and hopefully stir into life.
He added: "I've got over 30 years experience in pirate radio, and I'm confident we'll be able to do this without many problems
"The hits will be broadcast on 106.8FM for 20 miles in each direction. We won't be asking people to come along to the broadcast, for obvious reasons, but we also hope to broadcast it over the Internet."
A ritual to actually summon the spirit of the Loch Ness Monster to the surface will be carried out after the broadcast.
Mr Carlyon said: "The radio broadcast will hopefully stir the monster into awakening but the ritual will be done on the beach later that evening, or the next morning."
It has been a quiet year so far for sightings of the elusive Nessie, but a local business operator said: "At least he may cause a ripple at the end of the tourist season."
Possible songs to summon Nessie:
1. Monster - The Automatic
2. Monster Mash - Bobby "Boris" Pickett
3. Monster - Lady GaGa
4. Monster - Steppenwolf
5. Water Beastie - Sensational Alex Harvey Band
6. Loch Ness - Some Velvet Sidewalk
7. Ol'e Nessie - Mastodon
8. Monster - Skillet
9. Monster - Meg & Dia
10. Beautiful Monster - Ne-Yo
11. Monster - REM
12. Daydream in Blue - I Monster
13. The Monster is Loose - Meat Loaf
14. The Boogy Monster - Gnarls Barkley
15. My beloved Monster – Eels
Do you have a song you think Nessie might like? Then let the news team know by leaving a comment on our facebook page.
http://news.stv.tv/scotland/198063-witch-attempts-to-wake-loch-ness-monster/
17 September 2010 15:38 GMT
The high priest of the UK's white witches announced plans to set up a private pirate radio station aimed at just one listener: the Loch Ness Monster.
Paranormal researcher Kevin Carlyon, self-styled "protector" of Nessie, will blast out monster music songs on the banks of Loch Ness in a bid to summon her.
He will transmit ten hits which he believes will get her "in the mood" to make an appearance.
Mr Carlyon, from Sussex, plans to play the music in an illegal FM broadcast and will "strategically place" half a dozen radios around the banks of Loch Ness where he believes the spirit of the monster will be listening
The date is being kept secret because of the illegal nature of the broadcast. The songs haven't yet been chosen but will all have a monster theme tune.
Mr Carlyon has been involved in a series of strange events on the loch over the years.
He said: "I believe the monster is a spirit that lives in the loch. By transmitting the songs via the pirate radio transmission, the spirit, which I believe is telepathic, will pick up on it and hopefully stir into life.
He added: "I've got over 30 years experience in pirate radio, and I'm confident we'll be able to do this without many problems
"The hits will be broadcast on 106.8FM for 20 miles in each direction. We won't be asking people to come along to the broadcast, for obvious reasons, but we also hope to broadcast it over the Internet."
A ritual to actually summon the spirit of the Loch Ness Monster to the surface will be carried out after the broadcast.
Mr Carlyon said: "The radio broadcast will hopefully stir the monster into awakening but the ritual will be done on the beach later that evening, or the next morning."
It has been a quiet year so far for sightings of the elusive Nessie, but a local business operator said: "At least he may cause a ripple at the end of the tourist season."
Possible songs to summon Nessie:
1. Monster - The Automatic
2. Monster Mash - Bobby "Boris" Pickett
3. Monster - Lady GaGa
4. Monster - Steppenwolf
5. Water Beastie - Sensational Alex Harvey Band
6. Loch Ness - Some Velvet Sidewalk
7. Ol'e Nessie - Mastodon
8. Monster - Skillet
9. Monster - Meg & Dia
10. Beautiful Monster - Ne-Yo
11. Monster - REM
12. Daydream in Blue - I Monster
13. The Monster is Loose - Meat Loaf
14. The Boogy Monster - Gnarls Barkley
15. My beloved Monster – Eels
Do you have a song you think Nessie might like? Then let the news team know by leaving a comment on our facebook page.
http://news.stv.tv/scotland/198063-witch-attempts-to-wake-loch-ness-monster/
Witch attempts to wake Loch Ness monster
A white witch and self-proclaimed ‘protector’ of Nessie is setting up a radio station to try and wake the monster.
17 September 2010 15:38 GMT
The high priest of the UK's white witches announced plans to set up a private pirate radio station aimed at just one listener: the Loch Ness Monster.
Paranormal researcher Kevin Carlyon, self-styled "protector" of Nessie, will blast out monster music songs on the banks of Loch Ness in a bid to summon her.
He will transmit ten hits which he believes will get her "in the mood" to make an appearance.
Mr Carlyon, from Sussex, plans to play the music in an illegal FM broadcast and will "strategically place" half a dozen radios around the banks of Loch Ness where he believes the spirit of the monster will be listening
The date is being kept secret because of the illegal nature of the broadcast. The songs haven't yet been chosen but will all have a monster theme tune.
Mr Carlyon has been involved in a series of strange events on the loch over the years.
He said: "I believe the monster is a spirit that lives in the loch. By transmitting the songs via the pirate radio transmission, the spirit, which I believe is telepathic, will pick up on it and hopefully stir into life.
He added: "I've got over 30 years experience in pirate radio, and I'm confident we'll be able to do this without many problems
"The hits will be broadcast on 106.8FM for 20 miles in each direction. We won't be asking people to come along to the broadcast, for obvious reasons, but we also hope to broadcast it over the Internet."
A ritual to actually summon the spirit of the Loch Ness Monster to the surface will be carried out after the broadcast.
Mr Carlyon said: "The radio broadcast will hopefully stir the monster into awakening but the ritual will be done on the beach later that evening, or the next morning."
It has been a quiet year so far for sightings of the elusive Nessie, but a local business operator said: "At least he may cause a ripple at the end of the tourist season."
Possible songs to summon Nessie:
1. Monster - The Automatic
2. Monster Mash - Bobby "Boris" Pickett
3. Monster - Lady GaGa
4. Monster - Steppenwolf
5. Water Beastie - Sensational Alex Harvey Band
6. Loch Ness - Some Velvet Sidewalk
7. Ol'e Nessie - Mastodon
8. Monster - Skillet
9. Monster - Meg & Dia
10. Beautiful Monster - Ne-Yo
11. Monster - REM
12. Daydream in Blue - I Monster
13. The Monster is Loose - Meat Loaf
14. The Boogy Monster - Gnarls Barkley
15. My beloved Monster – Eels
Do you have a song you think Nessie might like? Then let the news team know by leaving a comment on our facebook page.
http://news.stv.tv/scotland/198063-witch-attempts-to-wake-loch-ness-monster/
17 September 2010 15:38 GMT
The high priest of the UK's white witches announced plans to set up a private pirate radio station aimed at just one listener: the Loch Ness Monster.
Paranormal researcher Kevin Carlyon, self-styled "protector" of Nessie, will blast out monster music songs on the banks of Loch Ness in a bid to summon her.
He will transmit ten hits which he believes will get her "in the mood" to make an appearance.
Mr Carlyon, from Sussex, plans to play the music in an illegal FM broadcast and will "strategically place" half a dozen radios around the banks of Loch Ness where he believes the spirit of the monster will be listening
The date is being kept secret because of the illegal nature of the broadcast. The songs haven't yet been chosen but will all have a monster theme tune.
Mr Carlyon has been involved in a series of strange events on the loch over the years.
He said: "I believe the monster is a spirit that lives in the loch. By transmitting the songs via the pirate radio transmission, the spirit, which I believe is telepathic, will pick up on it and hopefully stir into life.
He added: "I've got over 30 years experience in pirate radio, and I'm confident we'll be able to do this without many problems
"The hits will be broadcast on 106.8FM for 20 miles in each direction. We won't be asking people to come along to the broadcast, for obvious reasons, but we also hope to broadcast it over the Internet."
A ritual to actually summon the spirit of the Loch Ness Monster to the surface will be carried out after the broadcast.
Mr Carlyon said: "The radio broadcast will hopefully stir the monster into awakening but the ritual will be done on the beach later that evening, or the next morning."
It has been a quiet year so far for sightings of the elusive Nessie, but a local business operator said: "At least he may cause a ripple at the end of the tourist season."
Possible songs to summon Nessie:
1. Monster - The Automatic
2. Monster Mash - Bobby "Boris" Pickett
3. Monster - Lady GaGa
4. Monster - Steppenwolf
5. Water Beastie - Sensational Alex Harvey Band
6. Loch Ness - Some Velvet Sidewalk
7. Ol'e Nessie - Mastodon
8. Monster - Skillet
9. Monster - Meg & Dia
10. Beautiful Monster - Ne-Yo
11. Monster - REM
12. Daydream in Blue - I Monster
13. The Monster is Loose - Meat Loaf
14. The Boogy Monster - Gnarls Barkley
15. My beloved Monster – Eels
Do you have a song you think Nessie might like? Then let the news team know by leaving a comment on our facebook page.
http://news.stv.tv/scotland/198063-witch-attempts-to-wake-loch-ness-monster/
Friday, May 7, 2010
Witch bids to show Nessie is a ghost
By Jenna MacCulloch
Published: 06 May, 2010
A DRAMATIC event which will see hundreds of witches, clairvoyance experts and psychics gather together around the shores of Loch Ness in a bid to make contact with Nessie will take place next month.
The High Priest of British White Witches, Kevin Carlyton - who calls himself "The Official Protector of Loch Ness and the Loch Ness Creature" - is organising the one-off psychic gathering and is hoping to prove the monster is in fact a ghost.
The white witch, who claims to have thwarted the plans of "monster hunter" Jan Sundberg from Sweden coming to Loch Ness to attempt to capture Nessie a few years ago, believes the monster will never be caught, because she's not actually alive.
Kevin explained: "The creature is a ghost from a bygone era and its image has been captured by the surrounding landscape. On certain weather conditions, particularly very warm or thunderous with a lot of static in the air, images of the creature are 'replayed' and people who are slightly psychic see the creature as if it is here now."
Now the white witch hopes to prove his point about the monster, which drums up hundreds of thousands of pounds in tourism business every year for the area, by organising the coming together for those who have psychic abilities.
He said: "I predict there will be at least 200 people present at the event. I've only mentioned a small bit about the event on my website and the interest so far has been phenomenal.
"I've had psychics from all over the country, and was even speaking to someone on the phone from New Zealand who plans to incorporate the event into their trip to England next month.
"It's going to be quite an event. I'm hoping it will go ahead around June 21, but I still need to confirm the actual date.
"Computer programmer Mikko Takala will be filming the event and it's hoped it will be broadcast live on www.lochness.co.uk - so hopefully Nessie won't be camera shy!"
And for those who may be left disappointed at the news that the monster is a ghost have been re-assured by Kevin.
He said: "Everyone has psychic ability in them somewhere and some people will be able to still see Nessie."
http://www.highland-news.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/7402/Witch_bids_to_show_Nessie_is_a_ghost.html
(Submitted by Lindsay Selby)
Published: 06 May, 2010
A DRAMATIC event which will see hundreds of witches, clairvoyance experts and psychics gather together around the shores of Loch Ness in a bid to make contact with Nessie will take place next month.
The High Priest of British White Witches, Kevin Carlyton - who calls himself "The Official Protector of Loch Ness and the Loch Ness Creature" - is organising the one-off psychic gathering and is hoping to prove the monster is in fact a ghost.
The white witch, who claims to have thwarted the plans of "monster hunter" Jan Sundberg from Sweden coming to Loch Ness to attempt to capture Nessie a few years ago, believes the monster will never be caught, because she's not actually alive.
Kevin explained: "The creature is a ghost from a bygone era and its image has been captured by the surrounding landscape. On certain weather conditions, particularly very warm or thunderous with a lot of static in the air, images of the creature are 'replayed' and people who are slightly psychic see the creature as if it is here now."
Now the white witch hopes to prove his point about the monster, which drums up hundreds of thousands of pounds in tourism business every year for the area, by organising the coming together for those who have psychic abilities.
He said: "I predict there will be at least 200 people present at the event. I've only mentioned a small bit about the event on my website and the interest so far has been phenomenal.
"I've had psychics from all over the country, and was even speaking to someone on the phone from New Zealand who plans to incorporate the event into their trip to England next month.
"It's going to be quite an event. I'm hoping it will go ahead around June 21, but I still need to confirm the actual date.
"Computer programmer Mikko Takala will be filming the event and it's hoped it will be broadcast live on www.lochness.co.uk - so hopefully Nessie won't be camera shy!"
And for those who may be left disappointed at the news that the monster is a ghost have been re-assured by Kevin.
He said: "Everyone has psychic ability in them somewhere and some people will be able to still see Nessie."
http://www.highland-news.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/7402/Witch_bids_to_show_Nessie_is_a_ghost.html
(Submitted by Lindsay Selby)
Thursday, January 14, 2010
West Country pagans tie horses in knots
The Hair Witch Project hits Devon manes
By Lester Haines
Posted in Bootnotes, 14th January 2010 11:18 GMT
Police are investigating the possibility that pagans are behind a "bizarre outbreak of horse mane weaving" in Devon, Dorset and Somerset, the Western Morning News reports.
Some 20 equines have been found with plaits in their manes, and while the initial suspicion was that they were being marked for theft by horse-rustling gangs, the fact that none have actually been lifted has led police to consider the possibility they're being used for "knot magick" rituals.
Such magick commonly involves the tying of knots in a cord, often with feathers or other objects bound in the knots, to create a talisman.* The ritual is carried out with an incantation intended to endow the charm with the power to carry out the creator's wishes.
In this case, the horses may have been used because "pagan gods are thought to have a close connection with horses which adds strength to spells that incorporate the animals".
A baffled PC Jeff Howley, neighbourhood beat manager in Cullompton, Devon, said: "At the moment we do not know of any motive for the plaiting. To start with we thought they were being marked for theft but that is clearly not the case.
"One motive from research by Dorset police who are also investigating a number of cases is that it may be a pagan ritual. It is hard for us to judge at the moment but any speculation will have to be considered."
Jenny Parsons, secretary of the Taunton Vale Harriers Hunt, said she "believes a small group of people are targeting the same animals after communicating through social networking websites".
She offered: "It is possible it's a pagan ritual and I have had reports of a change in horse behaviour, so if these are children's ponies it is an absolutely awful thing to do."
Parsons has set up a horse watch scheme to combat the illicit pagan activity and "urged horse owners to send pictures of the plaits to local police and to remain vigilant".
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/01/14/knot_magick/
By Lester Haines
Posted in Bootnotes, 14th January 2010 11:18 GMT
Police are investigating the possibility that pagans are behind a "bizarre outbreak of horse mane weaving" in Devon, Dorset and Somerset, the Western Morning News reports.
Some 20 equines have been found with plaits in their manes, and while the initial suspicion was that they were being marked for theft by horse-rustling gangs, the fact that none have actually been lifted has led police to consider the possibility they're being used for "knot magick" rituals.
Such magick commonly involves the tying of knots in a cord, often with feathers or other objects bound in the knots, to create a talisman.* The ritual is carried out with an incantation intended to endow the charm with the power to carry out the creator's wishes.
In this case, the horses may have been used because "pagan gods are thought to have a close connection with horses which adds strength to spells that incorporate the animals".
A baffled PC Jeff Howley, neighbourhood beat manager in Cullompton, Devon, said: "At the moment we do not know of any motive for the plaiting. To start with we thought they were being marked for theft but that is clearly not the case.
"One motive from research by Dorset police who are also investigating a number of cases is that it may be a pagan ritual. It is hard for us to judge at the moment but any speculation will have to be considered."
Jenny Parsons, secretary of the Taunton Vale Harriers Hunt, said she "believes a small group of people are targeting the same animals after communicating through social networking websites".
She offered: "It is possible it's a pagan ritual and I have had reports of a change in horse behaviour, so if these are children's ponies it is an absolutely awful thing to do."
Parsons has set up a horse watch scheme to combat the illicit pagan activity and "urged horse owners to send pictures of the plaits to local police and to remain vigilant".
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/01/14/knot_magick/
Horse mane weaving incidents 'caused by Pagans', police believe
Pagan worshippers are suspected of weaving horses’ manes to cast spells on the animals after police investigated a series of bizarre incidents.
By Andrew Hough
Published: 10:00PM GMT 13 Jan 2010
The practice, believed to have spread via the internet, has seen almost 20 animals targeted over the past three months.
Residents have since started a horse watch scheme after incidents were reported in fields in Hemyock, Culmstock and Clayhidon, Devon, Exeter as well as parts of Dorset and Somerset.
While the braiding appears to not do any harm to the animals, horse owners were said to have become increasingly bemused and concerned by the practice.
Police initially believed the horses were being marked for theft by organised criminals until it was discovered that none had actually been stolen or disappeared.
Officers now suspect white “witches” who practice “knot magick” are using the horses to help them cast spells.
It is thought that Pagan gods have a close connection with horses, which adds strength to spells that incorporate the animals.
PC Jeff Howley, neighbourhood manager for Cullompton, said the case had baffled local police.
“At the moment we do not know of any motive for the plaiting to start with we thought they were being marked for theft but that is clearly not the case,” he said.
"One motive from research by Dorset police who are also investigating a number of cases is that it may be a pagan ritual.
"It is hard for us to judge at the moment but any speculation will have to be considered."
Sarah Bloor, Police Community Support Officer for Pennsylvania, Exeter, added: "Stables are feeling vulnerable.
"So far there have been no actual thefts and we are not ruling out the possibility that it could be something else."
Jenny Parsons, secretary to the Taunton Vale Harriers Hunt who has set up a local horse watch scheme, said it was thought a small group of people were undertaking the practice after communicating through social networking internet sites.
“People have started sleeping in stables but I discourage that strongly as it is not safe nor sensible,” she said
"It is possible it's a pagan ritual and I have had reports of a change in horse behaviour so if these are children's ponies it is an absolutely awful thing to do."
A man in a blue Peugeot 306 was spotted taking pictures of horses in the Hemyock area of Cullompton, Devon, about a week ago.
No one has been arrested.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/6980487/Horse-mane-weaving-incidents-caused-by-Pagans-police-believe.html
By Andrew Hough
Published: 10:00PM GMT 13 Jan 2010
The practice, believed to have spread via the internet, has seen almost 20 animals targeted over the past three months.
Residents have since started a horse watch scheme after incidents were reported in fields in Hemyock, Culmstock and Clayhidon, Devon, Exeter as well as parts of Dorset and Somerset.
While the braiding appears to not do any harm to the animals, horse owners were said to have become increasingly bemused and concerned by the practice.
Police initially believed the horses were being marked for theft by organised criminals until it was discovered that none had actually been stolen or disappeared.
Officers now suspect white “witches” who practice “knot magick” are using the horses to help them cast spells.
It is thought that Pagan gods have a close connection with horses, which adds strength to spells that incorporate the animals.
PC Jeff Howley, neighbourhood manager for Cullompton, said the case had baffled local police.
“At the moment we do not know of any motive for the plaiting to start with we thought they were being marked for theft but that is clearly not the case,” he said.
"One motive from research by Dorset police who are also investigating a number of cases is that it may be a pagan ritual.
"It is hard for us to judge at the moment but any speculation will have to be considered."
Sarah Bloor, Police Community Support Officer for Pennsylvania, Exeter, added: "Stables are feeling vulnerable.
"So far there have been no actual thefts and we are not ruling out the possibility that it could be something else."
Jenny Parsons, secretary to the Taunton Vale Harriers Hunt who has set up a local horse watch scheme, said it was thought a small group of people were undertaking the practice after communicating through social networking internet sites.
“People have started sleeping in stables but I discourage that strongly as it is not safe nor sensible,” she said
"It is possible it's a pagan ritual and I have had reports of a change in horse behaviour so if these are children's ponies it is an absolutely awful thing to do."
A man in a blue Peugeot 306 was spotted taking pictures of horses in the Hemyock area of Cullompton, Devon, about a week ago.
No one has been arrested.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/6980487/Horse-mane-weaving-incidents-caused-by-Pagans-police-believe.html
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