Jane prowse, of Chapple Cross, Bovey Tracey, writes:

On December 27, we walked our dogs on Dartmoor, something we do daily.

Just beyond the lower car park at Haytor, we found a foal in distress. It was dragging its back left leg and although it did not seem broken, it could have been fractured or dislocated. We could not see any branding on it, or on its mother nearby.

When we got home we rang what we thought was the obvious organisation, the Dartmoor Livestock Protection Society. I have done this several times over the previous 22 years when I have found sheep or cattle in trouble and have, on occasion, met a farmer or ranger to guide them to the animal.

The Haytor number for DLPS was no longer operational and we rang a number in South Brent. We were told it had already been reported and that the owner and vet had been unable to find the foal, but that our directions would be passed on.

The next morning we checked again, and the foal and mother were in more or less the same place, the foal still dragging its leg.

We telephoned immediately but as there was no reply we left a message detailing the position of the foal, asking to be informed of the outcome and also asking that if nothing could be done should we contact the RSPCA.

We have yet to receive any reply.

We have since been told that a vet cannot treat an animal without the consent of the owner. Is this true?

So, what should we do if we find another animal in distress and in need of attention?

We were able to find the foal on subsequent days, even in dense fog. We are always more than happy to meet with an owner who cannot locate their animal from our directions.MORE LETTERS IN OUR ONLINE EDITION