Pretty Ponies Attacked At Elizabeth Park In Trenton, Hair Cut

By Christy Strawser
(CBS Detroit) What became of your pony, Clarice?

No, it's not "Silence of the Lambs" but it could be scary nonetheless in the sleepy downriver suburb of Trenton, Mich., where someone attacked the manes and tails of four ponies at Elizabeth Park.

About two feet of hair was slashed away from four beautiful ponies.

Police said it happened between 3:30 p.m. on Monday and 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday. The culprit is at large.

The crime was discovered by a staffer who's part of the popular pony ride attraction at the waterfront park. Police put the incident on Facebook, hoping someone would come forward or turn in a suspect.

Comments to the police department's post on Facebook ranged from the serious "what is wrong with people," and "I hate people," to attempts at comedy like "look for someone with a new weave."

Police think the gorgeous, silky hair may have been the target.

"The only thing we can figure is you can sell the hair, you're not gonna make a whole lot of money, it's $40 a pound on the Internet," said Trenton Police Chief Steven Voss.

He added: "We don't have anything to go on."

The ponies were not hurt, but it'll take about a year for their tails to grow back. In the interim, they can't swat away flies or mosquitos.

The culprit could face serious repurcussions, police added.

"If we were to get a suspect, we would seek charges for animal cruelty," Chief Voss said. Michigan law calls for a possible penalty of up to four years in prison for animal cruelty, plus $5,000 per act the suspect is convicted of.

Anyone with information is asked to call Trenton police at 734-676-3825.