Northern Powergrid has made an appeal for information to help catch metal thieves after an attempted theft in Redmarshall, Stockton-on-Tees, left a powerline hanging dangerously low, leading to the deaths of four horses.
The 11,000 volt power line and the horses were found by a member of public, who reported the incident to the energy distributor. The company isolated power supplied in the area in response, causing a power cut for 84 customers.
Within 90 minutes power had been restored for 63 of these customers by utilising alternative sections of the network to deliver electricity. The remaining 21 had to wait 6 hours and 45 minutes before the lights were back on, as a full repair was required before transmission could resume.
Rod Gardner, head of network operations at Northern Powergrid, said: "Interfering with the power network in anyway is extremely dangerous, power lines on wooden poles can carry voltages of up to 132,000 volts and coming too close or making contact is potentially fatal.
"The actions of these criminals have caused the tragic death of four animals and our thoughts are with their owner.
"Through our partnership with the charity Crimestoppers, a reward of up to £1,000 is available to anyone who has information that could lead to a conviction of the people behind this crime."