MYSTERY surrounds how a two-month-old foal found wandering in a busy road came by serious injuries, including a deep gash to its leg.

Owner Helga Anson, 32, believes the injuries suffered by the filly, Babe, were caused by a wild animal or stray dog. She says an initial assumption that the foal had been struck by a car "don't make sense".

The foal, which stands three feet high, got onto the Leominster road at Clowes Top on Tuesday night at about 8.30pm. She had wandered into the road, causing motorists to swerve to a halt. Police were notified and the owners tracked down.

Mrs Anson, who breeds horses, said it was initially assumed the foal had been hit by a car, but when she was looked at by a vet the wound did not appear consistent with that theory.

"The strangest thing was that when we went into the field she had got out of we found the mare was covered in blood but was herself unhurt. There was no way the mare could have got out through the hedge herself, so it looks like the injuries to the foal must have occurred inside the field and she had bolted."

She added: "We think it must have been an animal of some sort."

The foal was treated and stitched for three hours but yesterday morning the vet had to be recalled because pneumonia had developed. "We're just hoping she will survive."

Anyone who may have witnessed the incident is urged to call Kidderminster Police on 01562 820888.