Two horses have been left tied to bushes just yards from homes in the Black Country.
Residents have called on the council and RSPCA to remove the animals from Thornton Drive, off Gayfield Avenue in Withymoor, Brierley Hill.
One was tied up in a garden over the weekend but is now tied to a tree and able to walk freely on the pavement and road in the street.
Residents have described another as being in a “distressed” state and do not know where the horses have come from or who owns them.
Council election Tory candidate Pat Martin, who has taken up the fight to get the horses removed on behalf of residents, said: “It is a pity that when cases like this arise the council is not able to act quicker but the matter has to be placed in the hands of a bailiff.
“This means a legal process has to be undertaken. I understand one of the horses was tethered in a front garden at one point over the weekend.”
Dudley Council spokesman Phil Parker said the local authority was always grateful to the public for informing it of such situations. He said the case had now been put on the register.
“In partnership with the police we retain a company who manage the situation by monitoring our register on a regular basis,”
Mr Parker said. “They can then impound straying and illegally grazing horses when appropriate.
“The council does encourage people to be responsible owners and does have grazing land in the borough.
“We are always happy to add people to the waiting list.”
RSPCA spokeswoman Judith Haw said tethering a horse was not an illegal offence. “Nevertheless the RSPCA do not think it is a suitable way of keeping an animal, especially if it is in danger. If the residents have not already done so we would urge them the call the RSPCA.”
Incidents can be reported on 0870 555 5999.
5 Comments
It didn’t say if the horses had water to drink.I’m not sure what the laws are here in the U.S. are,but I’m pretty sure tying horses where they are able to get in the road isn’t legal.That’s endangerment to the animal and to whomever happens by in their car and hits it.I personally do not think horses should be tied.They are range animals.They are flight animals.They don’t feel safe being confined.They could get tangled in thier ropew and potentially kill themselves.I think that something more needs to be done.
Let’s face it, we all know which group are responsible for dumping horses but it’s not PC to say so. If the perpetrators are found then maybe they should be tied to a tree for a while.
The local council should get a move on to get these poor animals moved to somewhere better but to get any council to do anything quickly is impossible.
The correct procedure must be followed my a***!!
cruelty to animals should be treated the same as one who treats a human being the same way. A prison sentence might help,however, perhaps the same treatment given to them, might make them think twice.
I am the owner of these horses i live at 168 Gayfield Avenue. The horses were only tethered there for a short period of time and they had no access to the road and were in no danger. Since this article has been printed I have tried several times to try and claim my horses back as they are well looked after and cared for by myself and family. My three year old daughter is missing them dearly. This is a publicity stunt for counsellor Pat martin to appear in the newspaper.
in light of most of the comment made the animals in question on the pictures provided are in very good condition the point of the matter is that the proceedures applied in the removal of the animals was incorrect & illegal it is the responSIbility of the local goverment\council to make sure all contracters obay civil/criminal law. oops