Upsetting footage has emerged of a horse collapsing from heat exhaustion while pulling along a wedding cart, containing a bride and groom.
The beautiful white horse had been pulling the glamorous cart up a steep hill during what had been a very hot day in the town of Borgetto, near Sicily.
The occupants of the cart reportedly had a combined weight of 800lbs.
Footage shows the groom and coach driver attempting to help the fallen stallion, who had been decorated with feathers.
You can watch the following footage below, which some viewers may find distressing:
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Italian animal rights charities have now voiced serious concern over the footage, which had been captured from a nearby flat.
Some organisations are even threatening to file a lawsuit.
A spokesperson from the Italian Nucleus Operational Protection of Animals made the following comment:
We have already written to local authorities to ask them to confirm the current conditions of the horse.
Animals are not here for our entertainment guys! Don’t treat them like cr*p!
Jules studied English Literature with Creative Writing at Lancaster University before earning her masters in International Relations at Leiden University in The Netherlands (Hoi!). She then trained as a journalist through News Associates in Manchester. Jules has previously worked as a mental health blogger, copywriter and freelancer for various publications.