Foal dies after being panicked by paraglider

Oxford City Council said it will take legal action against three individuals involved in two separate incidents.

A foal has died after being panicked by a powered paraglider flying "low and erratically" over Oxford's Port Meadow.

Oxford City Council said the foal was injured during an incident on 10 April and has since been put to sleep.

It said there had been two serious incidents involving paragliders this month and threatened legal action against those responsible.

Deputy chief executive of the council, Tom Hook urged the pilots responsible to "stop this dangerous behaviour immediately". Thames Valley Police has been approached for comment.

A second incident occurred on Sunday evening, when three paragliders were seen swooping low and noisily over the meadow, "causing further distress" to the animals.

The council said witnesses described the horses as "visibly panicked" and "running erratically around the area in fear".

"The matter is being taken extremely seriously, and legal action will be pursued against those responsible, it added.

Three individuals are thought to have been involved in flying the paragliders during the two incidents.

Mr Hook said "The safety of the animals, residents, and visitors to Port Meadow is of utmost importance, and we will continue to work closely with the police and community to prevent further incidents."

Both incidents have been reported to Thames Valley Police.

The 136.9ha (340-acre) Port Meadow is one of the largest open spaces in the north of Oxford.

The flood plain of the River Thames is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and is home to many species of cattle, horses and wildfowl.