FEARS raised that a horse ripper that targeted hundreds of animals in Hampshire may have returned have been allayed.

A horse was found dead with multiple injuries in Four Marks near Alresford on Thursday.

But police have now revealed the horse died of natural causes and there were no suspicious circumstances, with other animals thought to be the cause of the injuries.

In 1993 Hampshire Constabulary launched Operation Mountbatten after scores of horses were attacked and mutilated in the county.

The first horse found dead was called Mountbatten and was found in the East Hampshire village of Four Marks.

However the culprit or culprits of the attacks were never bought to justice.

Police officers were called to the field after the body of the dead horse was discovered by a member of the public at 2.10pm.

They initially said that the horse had injuries ‘consistent’ with an attack, and it was examined by a forensic vet.

The RSPCA were informed of the discovery.

A spokesperson for Hampshire police thanked the public for responding to an appeal for information.