CITY leaders have been accused of gambling with drivers’ lives after another horse was hit and killed by a car near York.

Police said the animal died instantly when it was hit by a black Saab 93, on the A166 near the village of Holtby, at 7am on Sunday.

The horse is the second to be killed at the spot and is understood to have been owned by travellers.

In April last year, a horse was killed when it was hit by a Landrover on the same road.

The latest in a long line of such incidents has prompted calls for City of York Council to speed up its plans to appoint a dedicated horse bailiff.

Independent Osbaldwick councillor Mark Warters said: “This council is playing Russian roulette with motorists’ lives and soon somebody is going to get the loaded chamber.

“We expressed concern in December on the cabinet’s poor response to this issue when the matter was called in and still nothing tangible has been done.”

Steve Waddington, City of York Council’s assistant director of housing and community safety said: “While we are saddened to hear of the death of a horse whose owner has not been identified, we are currently in the procurement process to appoint a horse bailiff, as was approved by cabinet last month.

“The terms of the bailiff’s contract could require them to check on public land, post notices and remove illegally tethered horses as requested by the council in line with current legislation and, where legally possible, act under contract on behalf of private landowners.

“When stray horses are reported to the council we look, wherever possible, to identify the owners so that they can move them. When welfare issues for the animals are identified, we work with the owners to address these and, where appropriate, take action in conjunction with the police and the RSPCA.”