The body of emaciated pony found dumped in a lane in Harrow Weald has been left causing distress for passers by for six days before the council picked it up.

The skewbald equine was discovered in "an awful state" with a rope tied around his back legs, which is thought to have been used to drag the dead animal to the remote Ass House Lane, on Thursday, April 7.

Harrow Council were notified immediately, but after repeated calls authority workers were only due to remove the body this morning.

Khalid Undre owns land around the lane and had to walk past the pony every day.

The 53-year-old said: "This poor horse has been lying in the lane since Thursday. It's very distressing for everyone. Now there's flies and a stench coming from it.

"The horse has been left dead, it is so cruel. We've contacted the council continuously, but it's been nearly a week and it's still there.

"I'm disgusted to see the way they just don't care. People are walking past it in tears."

The lane, which is off Old Redding, is part of a popular scenic walk and regularly has families and elderly people walking their dogs along it.

Lee Lennon is working and living near the land to establish a food forrest. He and his girlfriend are confronted with the "horrible sight" several times a day.

Mr Lennon, 47, said: "This is not the first time something like this has happened. We can't go near it, it's beginning to fester, it's becoming an environmental health problem. I have to go by it every day, other people too. The Grim's Dyke Hotel and golf course is down the lane.

"It's horrendous and I'm shocked how long it has taken the council to act.

"It's such a shame for the horse. It wasn't treated well, which is an important issue I feel. It had a horrific life and a horrific end."

The pony is thought to have been dumped between 6am and 7am last Thursday. It is the third such incident in that lane in the last 18 months.

Harrow Council spokesman Masooma Sarwar said the authority was going to pick up the body before 1pm today.

Mr Lennon notified the RSPCA, who are now appealing for information to track down the owners of the pony.

RSPCA Deputy Chief Inspector Nicole Broster said: "This was an incredibly upsetting sight for passers-by to come across.

"We often find that the bodies of dumped dead equines have rope like this tied around their legs. It is used to drag the bodies from where they died to a remote location as it is expensive to dispose of bodies.

"This was not an acceptable or respectful way to dispose of a body - just discarding it like rubbish in that way. What is of particular concern to us, though, is how this poor animal died. The body of this young pony was in an awful state, it does not look as if it had been cared for at all.

"The pony was emaciated, and covered in wounds and sores. It also looked as if it had been down in a stable before it died as its flank was covered in faeces and sawdust.

"I can only think that this poor pony suffered an immeasurable amount before it died.

"We urge anyone with any information at all to call us on 0300 123 8018.”