A DEAD horse was left lying in a field for more than a week, after its owner failed to act on requests to remove it.
Sutton Council eventually intervened to moved the animal from the private land on the Croydon/Sutton border, despite repeated requests to the owner.
Understood to belong to travellers who live nearby, the piebald is thought to have died on May 22 - but its body wasn't taken away until Saturday (May 31).
The animal lived and died in a field behind Longlands Avenue and Grove Lane, just across the Sutton border from Coulsdon, which its owners are believed to rent from a private landlord.
A spokesman for Sutton Council said the horse's owners have promised to reimburse the council for the cost of removal, roughly £170.
Both the RSPCA and the police were also called about the deceased equine, with police telling the Advertiser late last week officers had spoken with its owners.
Local residents said they were distressed to see the animal there for so long, repeatedly asking authorities to step in.
One resident, who asked not to be named, told the Advertiser before the horse had been removed: "It is near a public right of way and it is shameful in this day and age that a creature can be left like that.
"It is also sad that no-one knows what to do with it."
Another said this week: "It is just appalling, just horrific. I cannot believe this could happen today."
She added that neighbours had often complained about mounds of rubbish being regularly burned in the field, but to little avail.
The council spokesman said: "We visited the site with the RSPCA the day after we were called about the horse.
"The animal was privately owned and on private land and the owner agreed to remove it.
"However, this did not happen so we stepped in and paid for the horse to be collected.
"The owner has agreed to reimburse the council."
