Horses die when thieves steal gatesFOUR horses - including two that starred in a recent television film -
were killed on a motorway after scrap metal thieves stole the gates to
their field.
After this crime of unspeakable callousness and
cruelty, eleven horses escaped and galloped on to the A1(M). the
thieves had used oxyacetylene torches to remove two 25ft gates.
Three
were mown down and died at the scene. A fourth was found close to death
nearby, with two distressed but uninjured horses standing guard over
it.
Among the dead animals were Barbarella, 12, and Castle,
15, which both appeared in last month´s ITV1 adaptation of
Wuthering Heights. Castle is seen here with actor Andrew Lincoln.
The
horses belonged to the Timbertops Equestrian Centre and North Yorkshire
Police officers have appealed for information after the theft, which
happened at some time between 3pm on Saturday and 12.15am on Sunday.
PC
Lee Brook, of the Selby Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: "The theft of
these gates has resulted in a serious collision which ended tragically
with the loss of four animals.
"Thankfully none of the
occupants of the vehicles were injured, but they were very shaken up.
The potential consequences of the thieves´ actions don´t
bear thinking about."
Staff at local auction marts and
agricultural sales centres have been urged to contact police if they
are offered the metal gates for sale.
Anyone with information can contact York CID on 0845 6060247 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111