Crisis talks for action on stray horse chaos

Showdown talks will be held to thrash out a solution to the long-running problem of stray horses running free and wreaking havoc on Black Country streets.

Up to eight of the animals at a time have been seen galloping around Pensnett - leaving residents afraid to leave their homes.

They say they are reaching breaking point and are demanding that Dudley Council takes action. The council said it had impounded five horses last month.

But residents claim the problem is worse than ever and ward councillors Judy Foster and Karen Jordan will confront officers at the authority to call for the horses' owners to be tracked down.

In the past week eight young horses were seen in Redfly Lane, Pensnett, while another five have been roaming around Bryce Road.

On Monday, three horses ran in front of cars, causing drivers to swerve out of the way.

Gemma Smith, aged 32, of Bryce Road, said: "There was nearly a crash — it's so dangerous, there's going to be a serious accident soon.

"The horses are obviously breeding because we keep seeing these younger ones. Before long they'll have taken over the area."

Councillor Foster said: "We will demand that enforcement action is taken by the council as this has been going on for too long. It is a difficult situation and you have to be careful when dealing with the owners but we are determined to get this sorted."

Council spokesman Phil Parker said: "Council bosses have made it clear that the cause of this problem is the irresponsible horse owners in the Pensnett area who are purposely abandoning their horses on open land, with no regard for the potential danger to their animals or the public.

"Inevitably, these loose animals stray looking for food and water and get onto the roads."

There has been a problem with stray horses in the borough for years.

Dudley Council pays £20,400 a year for an outside agency to impound horses.