AN armed police officer used his weapon to put down a horse that had been severely injured in a smash on the M1 this morning.
Police were called to the southbound M1 near Junction 39, Denby Dale, at 5.38am after six horses escaped from a nearby field.
Two of the horses were in a collision with a Vauxhall Corsa.
One of the animals died at the scene but police were forced to shoot the other one to put it out of its misery.
The remaining horses were escorted back to the field.
The motorway was closed for a short time while the dead horse was recovered from the scene.