AN EMACIATED horse found with a broken neck and its legs tied together in the middle of a Chalfont St Peter road last night has had to be put down.

Shocked RSPCA inspectors said they “couldn't believe” the animal was still alive when it was found at 8pm in Mumfords Lane because it was in such a bad way.

The horse, an 18-month-old skewbald filly, was later put to sleep to prevent it from suffering further.

An appeal for witnesses was today made by the RSPCA.

Inspector Kirsty Withnall said: “This horse was in a terrible state, I cannot believe she was still alive.

“We believe that someone has driven up with this horse and dumped her from the back of a trailer.

“It is a shocking way to treat any animal and I'd ask anyone who knows anything about this incident to contact us or the police at once.”

The horse was wearing a training collar instead of a normal head collar.

It is thought the horse was left in the road shortly before being discovered as drivers would not have been able to continue along the lane. The road was closed by police while the animal was recovered.

It is also not known how the horse's neck was broken, but vets have ruled out her having been hit by a car after being dumped so it seems that she already had the injury.

Anyone with information should contact the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999 or Thames Valley Police on 08458 505 505.