New 'get tough' policy on stray horses

Robust policies are being put in place to dispose of stray horses in Carmarthenshire.
A stakeholders meeting of those having concerns of stray horses across the county was called in Llanelli to find a solution to the problem which escalated, especially in the Llanelli coast area, over the Christmas holiday period.
Police who were present at the meeting agreed to support Carmarthenshire County Council and prosecute those found responsible for straying horses and damages caused by them for recent past incidents and any in the future.
Stakeholders present at the meeting included public and private sector landowners and the RSPCA.
Those who had incurred costs with damaged or fouled ground were asked to draw up costs of restitution so they could be presented to those who might be prosecuted.
Several roads in Llanelli have been closed for up to a week between Christmas the New Year because of the dangers of up to 100 horses straying between Bynea and Kidwelly.
Many of the horses have been rounded up by the owners in night in the last week although it is believed as many as 70 are still at large on salt marshes at the Wildfowl and Westland Trust lands at Penclacwydd, Five Roads and Trimsaran.
Football playing areas at Crown Park, Seaside, Llanelli, and Pwll Park, need considerable work before they can be made playable.
Grounds maintenance teams at Machynys Peninsula Golf Club have been lifting hoof prints from fairways, greens and tees damaged by the horses. Managing director Jim Anderson said the course would have been rendered unplayable if the ground had not been frozen at the time of the horses intrusion. Damage had been mitigated by the concrete solid frozen state of the ground.
While large sections of Llanelli coast road on the recommendation of the police because of the danger to motorists from the straying horses there was huge inconvenience to drivers with detours of more than a mile necessary.
School and college buses were not able to pick up some students from regular stops and many businesses in South Llanelli has service deliveries disrupted and thousands more vehicles than usual were diverted though residential streets.
County executive board member for leisure services Cllr Clive Scourfield said: “Hugely irresponsible actions horse owners many of whom are not from the county has demanded that we take necessary robust action within the laws which these owners are flouting to rid ourselves of the dangers and inconvenience to the general public and landowners.
“We understand the majority of problems have been caused by the Gypsy and Traveller community and they will not be immune from the swoop tactics we will now employ.
”Stray horses cause considerable damage to and represent a health and safety risk on roads, parks, open space, private land and amenities placing undue cost and risk on council, police and private resources.”

These horses straying on Lanelli’s closed coast road on Tuesday evening disappeared in the night. In future police and council will be swooping on stray horses and disposing of them legally. Pic: Jeff Connell