Drone Believed to be Involved in W.Yorks Police Horse Death
Police are seeking the owner of a drone that may have been involved in the death of a police horse.
Fimber, a 14-year-old horse who joined West Yorkshire Police in 2004, died after he vaulted the fence of his paddock and collided with a wooden post after appearing to be spooked.
Officers later discovered a radio-controlled drone at the site near Wakefield, West Yorkshire, after it was spotted by a police helicopter crew.
The owner of the Walkera Runner 250, which costs about £200, is now being sought by the force after the incident in October.
Detective Superintendent Simon Atkinson said: “We have reviewed CCTV footage which shows Fimber bolting seemingly in reaction to something nearby. This resulted in him being seriously injured and led to his death. We cannot discount that this drone was involved.
“There is a possibility that Fimber was reacting to the drone landing nearby or being close to him when he bolted with tragic consequences.
“We know he was used to the helicopter taking off and landing nearby and by the nature of his training would be used to loud noises, which tends to suggest it was something unusual that caused him to react.
“I am very keen to hear from anyone who has any information that could assist us in tracing the owner of this drone.”
Mr Atkinson said he did not want to detract from the pleasure people get from flying drones but said flying next to such a site was totally inappropriate.
“Clearly flying one near to an operational police location such as Carr Gate, where the helicopter is regularly taking off and landing, is not appropriate and could have very serious consequences,'' he said.
“I want to appeal directly to the owner of the drone to come forward so that we can bring this matter to a conclusion.”