Stray and Illegally Kept Horses and Ponies (Equines)

 

For a number of years it has been the practice of a minority of equine owners in this Council area to keep their equines on Council owned / controlled property without lawful permission or authority. Those equines have caused problems to local people by depriving them of the use of property and have also been responsible for attacks on the public using the property and have caused a number of serious road traffic accidents.

 

The Police have also experienced considerable problems as a consequence of these equines. As a result of the irresponsible actions of these equine keepers both the Police and the Council receive complaints from the public.

 

The Council does not have a horse catching team and cannot impound horses that are allowed to wander across public land. In most cases the horses are recovered by their owners within a matter of hours; however the Council does retain a bailiff who, where necessary, carries out planned and targeted action.

 

We provide the bailiff with regular information about the number and location of stray horses, so you should report all information to us, as per the contact information at the bottom of the page. 

 

The council owns a number of sites within Dudley MBC which it lets for horse grazing. Grazing land is only offered on a 364 day licence agreement. There is currently a waiting list for sites. If you wish to be placed on the waiting list please complete our on-line grazing enquiry form below.