Carol Vaughn, The (Salisbury, Md.) Daily Times 10:22 p.m. EDT September 22, 2015

Dreamer’s Faith, a Chincoteague pony, front, was apparently stolen from a corral on the Chincoteague Carnival grounds on Sept. 6 or 7, 2015.(Photo: Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company image)

CHINCOTEAGUE ISLAND, Va. -- A five-month-old Chincoteague pony is still missing after it was apparently taken two weeks ago from a corral at the town carnival grounds — despite a police investigation, extensive media coverage and efforts by lovers of horses and of Chincoteague Island, renowned for its annual Pony Penning.

News of the apparent theft sparked outrage and resulted in supporters creating and posting flyers, posting the information on websites and social media outlets, and even in a five-minute video with photographs of the filly set to music, created by Cindy and John Steyer and posted on YouTube.

More than 808,000 people by Monday had viewed the original Facebook post about the theft on the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company page. The fire company owns and maintains the Virginia herd of wild Chincoteague ponies.

The missing pony, named Dreamer's Faith, was a buyback pony.

The approximately 5-month-old filly has a white marking on her left side resembling a bird in flight and a chestnut heart inside white on her right side, with a "15" freeze brand on her left hip.

Buybacks are purchased at the annual Pony Auction held in July on Chincoteague. Unlike other ponies purchased at the auction, buyback ponies are returned to live on Assateague Island to help replenish the herd.

Many of those commenting via social media about the missing pony have taken to using the hashtags ‪‪#BringDreamersFaithHome or ‪#KeepTheFaith‬.

"I have never witnessed anything but love from the members of the fire company for the ponies. I have shared the picture on my Facebook page and have been in prayer that the thieves are caught and that the baby can be returned to her mom where she belongs. I am standing with the locals and I have FAITH that she will be returned very soon. Stay strong Chincoteague," said one such commenter, Deanna Bredbenner of Delaware.

People also have donated money to add to a $1,000 reward the fire company is offering for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those who took Dreamer's Faith.

"We will leave no stone unturned in finding her. Such a sad, sad thing to happen to the herd, the fire company, the community and to all who love the ponies," Bowden said.

Read or Share this story: http://usat.ly/1Febl7C