WITH regard to the horse killing row (The Press, September 16), we are not told why tranquilisers were not used. Was it because no one wanted to fork out the costs?

Why can vets shoot darts at a wild tiger to sedate it enough so that it can be approached and transported, yet these poor horses had to be killed?

Moreover, “the shooting of the horses was a decision made by police”. Was the marksman who needed such a large number of shots to kill horses the same police so-called marksman I, and scores of drivers, witnessed some years ago on the A64?

He was incapable of aiming properly at a small bullock, who stood still some four feet from him across the reservation.

He peppered the poor, dazed beast with numerous bullets, before it collapsed injured. Another slow death, and nothing to be proud of. Every onlooker was disgusted.

As to horses left on road verges, the RSPCA should remove and re-home them, as those poor animals have no access to sturdy, stable drinking water containers.

Brigitte Rix, Juniper Close, York.