Police horse concerned in highway visitors colllision put down months later

A police horse has been put down 5 months after he was critically injured in a highway visitors collision.

Avon & Somerset Police introduced with “nice unhappiness” that police horse Rocky was put down on Monday (28 November).

Rocky and his rider have been concerned within the collision with a blue Ford Focus at Beggars Bush Lane, Bristol, on 8 July. The five-year-old gelding sustained a “important leg damage” and was taken to an equine hospital. Rocky’s rider and the motive force, a person in his 70s, have been taken to hospital, however allowed residence to get better.

Per week after the collision the power mentioned Rocky had been in “good spirits and had received over the primary hurdle”, however that his highway to restoration would “probably be an extended one”.

In an announcement yesterday (30 November) an Avon & Somerset spokesman mentioned officers and grooms had “mentioned their ultimate goodbyes to Rocky” and made “each effort to make him snug” earlier than he was put down.

“Lots of you have got adopted us via Rocky’s journey to restoration and we thanks in your assist. Though we had hoped to return Rocky to service, we’d aimed to at the least get him to a stage the place retirement to a subject would have been an possibility .

“Our officers and grooms devoted themselves to his rehabilitation, offering him with professional care. Though one in every of his accidents confirmed indicators of enchancment, Rocky didn’t reply to therapy as we’d hoped in relation to the opposite damage. This severely impacted on his high quality of life, which means even retirement to the sphere pain-free was now not attainable.”

The spokesman added that the mounted part is “actually devastated at this final result”.

“We ask in your understanding throughout this extremely troublesome time,” he mentioned.

“Thanks in your service, Rocky.”

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