Ponies abandoned in the centre of Dudley

Stray ponies caused a shock in a Black Country town centre when they were found grazing on public gardens close to a busy road leading to fears over their safety.

Residents and councillors say irresponsible owners could also be endangering lives of pedestrians and motorists.

They are mystified about how the animals arrived in Dudley town centre yesterday. Concerned passers-by and workers cared for the five ponies discovered grazing on grass opposite Dudley Magistrates Court, in The Inhedge, Dudley.

None of them was tethered and people had seen them walking into the road in front of the busy court buildings and parked cars.

Doorman Darren Gethin, aged 41, was going shopping when he saw the ponies.

"It is disgusting that they were left in this state. They were left without anything to drink," he said.

"They weren't tethered up or anything and there could have so easily been an accident.

"Luckily a traffic warden was able to organise bringing them some hay and water.

"I've seen them walking in the road."

A worker, who did not wish to be named, had stopped with the ponies until officials arrived. She said: "All we tried to do was to keep them calm because when they are loose like that they could easily bolt if they were scared."

Ward Councillor Malcolm Davis said: "It is irresponsible to leave these poor animals to fend for themselves on this small piece of grass and the owners should be prosecuted.

"They could cause a very nasty accident if they were to run out in front of a car or even worse a lorry."

Dudley Council spokesman Phil Parker said the five were collected yesterday afternoon.

"The police and the RSPCA work closely with the council and our enforcement agency to tackle the problems of horses grazing illegally on public land," he said.

"While we don't have a reactive service we do monitor the behaviour of irresponsible horse owners and can then direct our enforcement agency to take action to impound the horses where appropriate."

Officials are asking people to report any information, such as vehicle details which could help to identify the horses' owners.

Anyone who can help can telephone 01384 814182.