'Prisoner' pensioner's call to act over stray horses

Residents are clamouring for action to tackle the mounting problem of stray horses which is blighting parts of the Black Country.

Calls, made at last night's Brierley Hill Area Committee, came as a Dudley pensioner said she was a prisoner in her home after horses got into her garden and were locked in by neighbours so they could not run out into the road.

Marion Brookes, aged 62, who has a lung condition, has been unable to leave home in Holly Hall, Dudley, since Wednesday.

Five horses appeared then. She said: "I'm frightened to go outside. I have tried to get someone down to get them, and so have my neighbours, but no one is interested."

People in Dudley, Walsall and Tipton have become increasingly worried about stray ponies wandering across roads and trampling through gardens, causing a danger to residents and the animals themselves.

The committee heard at least five people including Elgar Crescent resident Tom Jones, 66, who said roaming horses wrecked his front lawn as seven were left loose around the Russells Hall estate recently.

"At first I phoned the police. I was then given another number which I assumed was the RSPCA," he said. "There was no-one there at the time but the message said they would only attend in certain conditions.

"There is a split situation here which simply cannot go on. One organisation has to take responsibility. This is a problem which is getting worse and has to be resolved."

Other people, not wishing to be named, said horse bailiffs employed by the council were not rounding up horses.

Dudley Council director of urban environment John Millar said: "I am personally dealing with the police and RSPCA at the most senior levels to try and work out a solution.We need to work together to deal with this situation.

"Only then can any progress be made. A solution will be coming very soon and is something we are working towards. We understand this is a problem and it is being looked at from the very highest level."