A horse running wild in Waltham Abbey is putting lives in danger, it is claimed.

The horse was reported as weaving through traffic in Sewardstone Road yesterday at 6.30pm.

Despite several attempts, Susanne Troster, of Galley Hill Equine Surgery in Breach Barns Lane, Waltham Abbey, was unable to capture the brown and white horse, which is believed to have been running lose for up to four weeks in the area in and around Gunpowder Park.

Ms Troster said the only way to catch the animal is with a stun dart, but police or the RSPCA must be present to ensure public safety.

But she claims neither are interested in helping out and fears someone could be seriously hurt.

Ms Troster said: "The officials are not interested in helping out.

"The only way to rescue this horse is to sedate it with a dart and bring it back to the hospital.

"The police were on the scene with us yesterday and I said to them about the dart.

“They replied that it wasn't their responsibility and to contact the RSPCA.

"However the RSPCA are saying that it is a wild horse that is not injured so the concern is road safety, which is the job of the police.

"Everyone is trying to push the responsibility onto someone else but, at the end of the day, if that 400kg horse runs out in front of a car, the driver will die.

"It is really scared and we cannot get close enough.

“It keeps jumping wired fencing and running through hedges.

“I am so worried it may kill someone.

"We want the horse to survive but the public's safety right now is a huge concern."

An RSPCA spokesman said: "The RSPCA has received a call regarding a loose horse on Sewardstone Road, near Waltham Abbey.

"However, there was no report of the horse being injured or suffering and so the matter would fall to the police who, under section 155 of the Highways Act 1980, have the power to deal with any horse found straying beside the highway."

Essex police have been contacted for comment.