The police and crime commissioner for Suffolk has spoken of his 'concern' at the way the police handled a road accident which resulted in the death of a horse.
Tim Passmore said the police response to the incident at Earl Soham near Framlingham on October 22 was 'not to the level we would expect'.
Karen Harvey's thoroughbred Welsh cross, Patch- her 'horse of a lifetime'- had to be put down when he was left with horrifying injuries after being struck by a BMW driven by Edgaras Tilmantas, 34, of Bracken Avenue, Kesgrave.
READ MORE: Driving ban for man after hit-and-run on horse in Earl Soham
Tilmantas was handed fines totalling £1,073 and was disqualified from driving for nine months after pleading guilty to driving without due care and attention and failing to stop after an accident before magistrates in Ipswich.
However, when a helper at the scene reported the accident to the police, she was told that nobody was able to come out.
READ MORE: Horse put down on road at Earl Soham after horror crash
Instead, villagers had to manage traffic while Patch was being put down in the road, while Karen did her own detective work to establish the identity of the driver.
Speaking to the EADT, Karen described the absence of the police as 'outrageous' and said: "We were left to manage the traffic as Patch was put down in the road - he was across the road.
"The police weren't even there to help with that. They said they wouldn't come out.
"There were bits of his car across the road."
Mr Passmore said: “It is concerning that the police response to this very distressing incident was not to the level we would expect, but I am pleased to see the Constabulary has acknowledged this and has apologised."
READ MORE: Suffolk: Driver admits hit-and-run that killed horse
Figures from equine charity The British Horse Society have revealed that in 2022, 69 horses died in road accidents, while a further 125 were injured, along with 139 human injuries.
A spokesperson for the charity said: "Our thoughts are extended to the rider who lost their beloved horse, as well as all those who have been involved in similar tragic incidents.
READ MORE: Framlingham news
"Too many drivers underestimate the importance of driving carefully around horses, contributing to an increase in logged road incidents involving horses.
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