Stray horses causing havoc on streets in Dudley

Stray horses are causing havoc on a Black Country estate wandering into the road and trampling across gardens.

The animals have been left to roam free on the Russells Hall estate in Dudley leaving many residents too frightened to even leave their homes.

Yesterday seven were spotted causing problems in and around the Russells Hall Road area.

Drivers were forced to swerve out of the way of the animals or slam on their brakes suddenly to avoid hitting one of the horses.

Residents say they were first seen about midday yesterday.

They started off at the Wellington Road end of Russells Hall Road but quickly wandered along to adjoining streets.

Some unlucky residents ended up with four horses in their gardens at once, trampling over their plants.

Occasional passers-by stopped to stroke the horses but many rushed past for fear of getting hurt.

Marion Smith, Neighbourhood Watch coordinator for Russells Hall estate, was driving past at about midday when she first noticed them.

She commented: "People don't know what to do when there is a big horse in their front garden.

"This problem is getting worse and something needs to be done."

Residents have been calling for action over the issue for the last two years and are now demanding something is done as quickly as possible.

The police, RSPCA and Dudley Council have all vowed to try and find a solution.

Problems have been reported over the last year on the Russells Hall estate and in Pensnett.

Last January a horse wandered out in front of a car in Pensnett High Street causing an accident.

The horse had cuts and also a leg injury.

The driver, a woman in her 20s, was badly shaken but uninjured.