All aboard the pony express: Watch CCTV images of the horse at Wrexham General station
A man has been captured on CCTV trying to board a train accompanied by a pony.

Shocked staff watched as the man tried to get on the train at Wrexham General station with the white pony in tow

After a conductor refused him entry, the man returned to the ticket booth where he tried to buy two tickets - for himself and the animal.

Arriva Trains Wales (ATW) said horses were not permitted on safety grounds. The RSPCA said it was concerned and was viewing the CCTV tapes.

The man tried to travel on Saturday's 1902 BST service to Holyhead on Anglesey with his four-legged companion.

The ATW spokeswoman said: "Arriva Trains Wales allows dogs and small animals to travel on-board trains.

"All animals, except dogs, must be conveyed within a fully enclosed basket or pet carrier with dimensions not exceeding 85 x 60 x 60cm.


'Politely asked to leave'
"Large animals, including horses and ponies, which may pose a risk to the general public are not permitted travel."

She said the man later left the station with the animal, adding: "I'm not aware that anything like this has happened before."

Meanwhile, it later emerged the man and pony turned up at the accident and emergency unit at Wrexham Maelor Hospital, asking for treatment for the animal from doctor.

A health board spokesman added: "He was politely asked to leave the premises by the Security Guard and duly left, taking the pony with him."

In a statement, the RSPCA said of the station incident it was "not a safe nor acceptable manner in which to transport an equine."

It added: "The pony could have been injured or could have caused injury to passengers.

"Horse owners require passports to move their animals and they should be housed in a safe and secure environment when transported.

"The RSPCA inspectorate are currently viewing the images which have been released to the media."

Source/Video: [ Register or Signin to view external links. ]

Wrexham railway station pony seen in hospital and pub

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More images have emerged of places visited by a mystery man and his pony, including a hospital A&E department and a pub.

The animal was caught on CCTV waiting in line at the reception desk at Wrexham Maelor Hospital's emergency department.

Meanwhile, shoppers have also snapped pictures as the animal was led into a pub in Wrexham.

The RSPCA said it was concerned and was viewing CCTV tapes.

Retired teacher George Cawley, 62, was about to have a pub lunch with his wife last Friday when the man walked in "matter of fact" leading his pony.

He described it as a "crazy" scene which caused "uproar" among shoppers and customers, although the pony seemed relaxed and undistracted.

Mr Cawley explained after pub staff asked the man - and pony - to leave it was later seen tied up outside another pub in the town centre.

That was the same day the animal was taken into the A&E department where the man had asked for treatment for the animal from a doctor.

A health board spokesman added: "He was politely asked to leave the premises by the security guard and duly left, taking the pony with him."

A horse, similar to the description, was spotted on Thursday grazing near Wrexham Maelor Hospital's helipad.

It had first emerged the man tried to get on the train at Wrexham General station with the white pony in tow, but other sightings have since been revealed.

After a conductor refused him entry to a train, the man returned to the ticket booth where he tried to buy two tickets - for himself and the animal.
The man tried to travel on Saturday's 1902 BST service to Holyhead on Anglesey with his four-legged companion.

Arriva Trains Wales said horses were not permitted on safety grounds.

Meanwhile, the RSPCA said of the station incident it was "not a safe nor acceptable manner in which to transport an equine."

It added: "The RSPCA inspectorate are currently viewing the images which have been released to the media."

Source: [ Register or Signin to view external links. ]

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