Three horses were put down in Rickmansworth after they were discovered running wild near a main road.

Police were alerted to the horses, which were in a field off Park Road at, 8.30am on Friday December 13.

After repeated attempts to sedate the animals they were shot with tranquiliser and then destroyed.

Olivia Finucane, at Hertfordshire Constabulary, said: "Officers attended the scene with veterinary practitioners and animal welfare officers to ensure the welfare and safety of both the horses and to ensure there was no safety risk to the public.

"Attempts were made to sedate the animals but after several unsuccessful attempts to carry this out over a 36-hour period, the horses were humanely destroyed."