A HEARTBROKEN Rubery woman whose horse had its legs virtually severed by metal railings after vandals cut down fencing at its stables this week branded the culprits "sick".

Lyall Garden's resident Hayley Wright's 14-year-old horse, Buster, had to be destroyed after vandals herded the part--thorough-bred, along with eight others, onto a main road in Frankley.

On Saturday, May 26, vandals cut down fencing and removed posts and wire at The Orchards livery yard, in Frankley Hill Lane, which backs onto a housing estate.

Nine horses, which were grazing on the 28-acre site, were herded across wasteland and onto New Street where motorists were forced to dodge them.

Buster, worth between £3,000 and £4,000, was separated from the rest and while he was galloping along slipped and impaled himself on railings near Frankley Community High School.

Proprietor Sarah Willetts said: "He impaled himself on the railings and virtually severed the bottom of his legs.

"It was nasty.

"It is a very busy area and if a horse in full gallop had hit a car or a person it could have been horrendous. It could have killed someone."

The horse was later put out of its misery by a vet at the scene, while the other horses were rounded up and returned to the yard.

Twenty-two-year-old Hayley told the Advertiser/Messenger: "I was in Blackpool when I got the phone call and I came straight back, but he had already been put to sleep and taken away when I got there.

"I just cannot believe it, the people who do this must be sick."

The yard has suffered from attacks by vandals for many years and Sarah has again called on landlords, Birmingham City Council, to help towards the £7,000 cost of erecting high metal fencing at three "weak spots".

Sarah added: "Last summer I asked them for assistance but they said it was not a priority and they did not have the money but they have put up fencing at another local farm."

A Birmingham City Council spokeswoman said: "Following the incident, we have approached the owner regarding possible costing of erecting fencing around the stables."