A POLICE review into the killing of two stray horses in York has been described as “patronising” by one Dunnington resident.

Pam Frankland, 78, lives on a farm in Hull Road and complained to North Yorkshire Police about the incident, which took place on September 12.

The review, by Chief Superintendent Andy McMillan, said lessons should be learned from the incident, in which two horses were shot by police marksmen because police felt they represented a danger to the public.

Mrs Frankland said: “I received a letter from Chief Superintendent McMillan with the details of his review, and telling me he had considered all the facts of the incident.

“It is the usual platitudes that the police write, saying they learned from it, but they never learn from these incidents.”

The report confirmed one horse was shot 15 times from a distance of 300 metres, before being put out of its misery with another three rounds at close range, while the second horse was killed instantly by simultaneous shots from two officers.

Chief Supt McMillan said: “It is a matter of regret that it took 18 rounds to despatch one of the horses.

“However, the unique nature of the incident posed a number of significant difficulties.”

Mrs Frankland said: “I’ve written another letter to Chief Supt McMillan asking why the public weren’t involved more.

“I told him his letter doesn’t satisfy me in any way, and this report is patronising.

“Originally police denied it had taken 18 rounds to despatch the first horse, but here it is in black and white.

“I spoke to a farmer at the time who was in tears after the shooting because he was so close to catching the horse, before police upset then shot it.”

The review stated that firearms training was being reviewed following the incident, to give officers more information about handling animals, and said the force would work with the British Equine Veterinary Association.