The identity of a man captured on CCTV attempting to board a train with a pony and get treatment at a hospital has been revealed. Irish traveller Joe Pannell is reportedly a well-known character faround Wrexham in North Wales. Recently, he and his white pony were pictured in the A&E department at Wrexham Maelor Hospital. Much to the bemusement of patients and staff, Joe asked if doctors could treat the animal before security politely asked him to leave.


The identity of a man captured on CCTV bizarrely attempting to board a
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Less than 24 hours late, Joe and his pony were then spotted at a local pub and at Wrexham General train station. Here, unsurprisingly, he was refused two tickets for himself and his four-legged companion. However, not taking no for an answer, Joe was then caught trying to board a train with the white pony in tow as shocked staff and passengers looked on. Extraordinary pictures show the pony in a lift at the station, walking along the platform and standing patiently at ticket office counter.


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Katrina Tzannis, a spokeswoman for Arriva Trains Wales, said, "Horses and ponies, which may pose a risk to the general public, are not permitted to travel. I think he believed he had a right to catch the train because he turned up with the animal and queried the refusal to board at the ticket office. I think staff at the station were very surprised and also very confused."

She said they were used to having guide dogs and other small pets but had never heard of anything of this magnitude turning up at the station. "I have no idea who he is or where he was going to but it was certainly very unusual."

After a conductor refused him entry onto the train Joe returned to the ticket booth where he tried to buy two tickets -- for himself and the animal. The pony was caught on CCTV waiting behind the man as he tried to buy tickets to travel on the 1902 BST service to Holyhead on Anglesey -- a two hour journey.

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

A spokesperson for the RSPCA, said, "This is something we might well look into because this is clearly not the way horses or ponies should be transported. There's a lot of hustle and bustle on passenger trains which could prove stressful for the animal or cause injury. Even an injury like a broken leg can be fatal for a pony. Horses and ponies should be transported in horse boxes so they do not get injured."