Police are appealing for information after a horse died following a collision with a vehicle in Gloucestershire.
The incident took place in Newent on Monday (7 March), when a vehicle struck the horse at around 4pm on Clifford’s Mesne, near to The International Centre for Birds of Prey.
The horse, pictured, received veterinary treatment but due to the seriousness of his injuries, he was later put down.
His rider, a 19-year-old woman, was thrown from the gelding and went to hospital with injuries which are not believed to be serious.
She was later discharged and is recovering at home. Police said she was “extremely upset by the ordeal”.
Inquiries are ongoing to identify the driver of the vehicle, which is reported to have been a silver or grey Vauxhall.
“It is believed the motorist, who did not stop at the scene, was a man aged in his 30s and was wearing a hi-vis at the time,” said a police spokesman.
“At around 4.45pm, a short while after the collision, an abandoned vehicle was found alight nearby. Inquiries are ongoing to determine whether this was the vehicle involved.”
Police are appealing for any witnesses or anyone with information to come forward.
Officers are also keen to hear from anyone who may have dashcam footage of the vehicle or who saw the driver leaving the scene.
You can also provide information to independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555 111 or online https://crimestoppers-uk.org/
