fantastic news for tethered horses in this area

angelish

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Northumberland County Council have removed 22 tethered horses Horses this morning , i hope at least some of them are rehomed
this news has made my day,its heartbreaking looking at these poor sorry souls through the year especially in the winter when they all start looking very poor

Massive well done Northumberland CC and i hope others follow suit now

removed to tackle illegal grazing
19 November 2013
On Tuesday November 19, on behalf of Northumberland County Council and other partners, a team of bailiffs removed 22 horses in the Newbiggin and Ashington areas.

The action is part of a proactive approach by the council to tackle the growing problem of horses grazing without permission in south east Northumberland.

Councillor Ian Swithenbank, policy board member responsible for streetcare and environment said: “As a result of individuals not following instructions and notices from the council about the illegal tethering of horses on council and privately owned land, in the early hours of Tuesday morning, 22 horses were removed and impounded.

“The council has been clear in its intentions from the start that this action would be taken if necessary. We have worked with partner agencies including police, community organisations and housing landlords to ensure horse owners have been provided with the correct instructions and information regarding illegal grazing and tethering of horses.”

There were no injuries to personnel or horses, no animal welfare issues and no disorder or arrests during the operation.

The bailiff company will hold the horses for a specified period of time, after which attempts will be made to re-home them. There are costs involved to anyone wishing to have a horse returned.

The council recently announced the provision of two authorised horse-grazing sites in Newbiggin-by-the-Sea and work is on-going to identify another site in Ashington.

Councillor Swithenbank continued: “I would urge horse owners to take up the offer of grazing their animals legally on authorised sites, or face the same consequences.”

Chief Inspector of the RSPCA Michelle Charlton said: “The RSPCA is keen to encourage responsible horse ownership and improve welfare by encouraging owners not to tether horses. The codes of practice for the welfare of equines suggest tethering is only used for short term projects when under veterinary supervision. We have tried, along with other welfare organisations, to educate and encourage responsible horse ownership. Where we are failing then action needs to be taken.”
 
There's an interesting 'debate' on Northern Neddies FB group about this - lots of people blaming the council as they've tethered there for years and can't understand why maybe the council might want to get rid of all the horses from the land rather than just the ones causing trouble! :rolleyes3: They seem to think that as its been happening for years that it should be allowed to carry on as its their right to have horses - never mind the fact that it was probably wrong in the first place and circumstances change.

Apparently they were offered alternate council grazing for reduced rates but didnt take it...
 
I don't like the idea of neds being impounded like cars haha. Really hope they get proper care whilst 'impounded' great that the cc are trying to tackle this trickly problem.
 
well done to the council. hopefully the horses will be enjoying better grazing with hay and if they are not claimed they will find themselves good homes. bet whoever they belong to will not be happy that they were removed
 
Good for them ,if the councils where all more kick ass about this there would be far fewer of these poor tethered animals about .
 
it was slightly "naughty" the way in which it has been dealt with , the local vets set up a cheap/free passporting & micro chipping service where the vets went out to the middle of these places where they are tethered ,they were also doing cheap castration for them

once most of them were chipped the local council had names and addresses of owners and then sent letters out stating what would happen (they'd be impounded) if they were not removed

the council provided a field with suitable fencing for them to use for the fee of £10 per week , they didn't take any notice and some horses were removed this morning
some on facebook are saying that there is a £5000 fee to pay to get a horse back , i'd heard it was £1000 but i'm not to sure

there are still horses tethered around here but this is a good start
 
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