Stray horses plaguing the Black Country will be impounded under an old law as part of a new plan unveiled by police and council leaders today.

It came after Dudley Council officers agreed seizure of horses fell under section 24 of the Town and Police Clauses Act 1847, allowing cattle on a highway to be seized and impounded.

The council will pay police an undisclosed sum so horses straying onto roads can be seized and found permanent homes if owners do not appear in three days, in a six-month trial starts.

Hundreds of reports of animals causing havoc wandering across main roads flooded in since the start of the year, especially in Pensnett, Brockmoor, Kingswinford and Coseley areas.

Chief Inspector Mark Bramwell today said: “It means that we can actually take positive action and possibly move the horses for good, should they cause a problem.

“We get high volumes of calls each week and in many cases we have been powerless to act.

“The issue has always been identifying owners for these animals, however the new arrangement will give the owner the option to come forward and deal with the issue.”

When an animal is impounded and moved to a paddock outside the Black Country, the owner has three days to prove ownership proof and settle fines.

Bosses today declined to say how much it will cost.

Council director of urban environment, John Millar, said they had a reactive service to help deal with stray horses after months of behind the scenes work with a number of agencies.

“We will continue to work with our partners to tackle the problem of horses abandoned by irresponsible owners across the borough.”