Horse dies after ‘being dragged around field’ by 4x4

Police believe the animal was chased by a white 4x4 Mitsubishi and then tied to it and dragged around the field until it collapsed and died.

The incident happened between 11am and 1pm on Saturday when two men are said to have entered the privately-owned fields off Maizebrook Avenue and Kilroyd Drive in Hunsworth.

Police were called to the scene and a post mortem will now be held to find out how the horse, a dark bay cob-type colt, died.

Two men, aged 74 and 42, from the Middleton area of Leeds, were arrested on Sunday morning in connection with the incident and have been released on police bail.

A spokesman for the RSPCA which is now leading the investigation said they could not comment further as the investigation was on-going.

Anyone with information can contact the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999, Kirklees CID on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.