Blondie's comeback; PONY'S RECOVERY AFTER BEING SLASHED MORE THAN 40 TIMES.

Byline: LISA HUTCHINSON

SHE bounds across a field full of life and energy, but it was only a year ago that Blondie the pony escaped death after thugs slashed her more than 40 times.

She was brought back from the brink of death after animal haters carved up the Shetland pony with what was believed to have been a Stanley knife.

And they even left their initials on her back as a mark of who did it.

Blondie spent hours in surgery and weeks of care as she underwent a major skin graft operation.

Following advice from a plastic surgeon, vet Charlotte Herdan carefully performed the operation after Blondie was mutilated.

But today, her future is bright as she canters through the grass in the summer breeze and plays with her four-legged friends.

Owner David Lowery said: "She is doing just fine now. She went through a tough time and now she has made a full recovery.

"It was a year ago since that brutal attack, and now she has a few scars to prove it.

"I'm surprised how well tempered Blondie is after what has happened to her. She is letting the younger ones of our eight grandchildren ride her, which is amazing."

The attack had taken place as the 11-year-old pet was grazing in a field at Meadow Drive, Seaton Burn, North Tyneside, last July.

David found the bloodsoaked pony he bought for his wife Alison at the Appleby Horse Fair two years ago.

The 54-year-old, of Green Crescent, in Dudley, North Tyneside, added: "Those people who did this are sick. The police never did catch them but if they can do that to an animal, I think they could do this to a human.

"Some people have said it would have been easier to get her put down, but she is a family pet and she means too much to us. The vet's bill came to about pounds 5,500, but she is worth every bit of it."

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BACK TO HER BEST: Blondie with Amy Martin