Stray horses cause chaos on Bradford dual carriageway (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Stray horses cause chaos on Bradford dual carriageway

7:00am Wednesday 31st October 2012 in News By Hannah Postles, T&A Reporter

A horse pictured by Incommunities staff grazing in a garden

Rogue horses caused traffic chaos in Bradford yesterday – on the same day the Telegraph & Argus revealed details of a crackdown on irresponsible owners who let their animals roam dangerously.

Worried residents called the police after spotting two horses straying onto a dual carriageway near Thornbury roundabout at around 8.10am, forcing motorists to take evasive action.

One resident told police he had spotted a brown and white horse walking in the road near the roundabout, while a second claimed to have seen two horses running across the road trailing tether rope in the Dick Lane area.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said it had received “a number” of reports about the horses and sent officers to the scene to try and capture the animals.

However, last night he said they had been unable to locate the horses and it is believed they may have been collected by their owners.

The drama came on the same day the Telegraph & Argus reported how the police, Bradford Council and Incommunities are working together to strengthen measures to tackle the illegal tethering of horses in the district.

Court injunctions and the removal of horses could hit rogue owners who leave them loose, or tethered to Council, housing association or public land.

A spokesman for the West Yorkshire Police’s HorseWatch scheme last night warned owners to take responsibility for their animals.

“If your horse is found loose on the highway, you may be reported for summons for allowing your horse to stray or it will be removed to a place of safety. You will then have to attend the Police Help Desk with your legal horse passport and pay a fee,” she added.

“Loose horses can be extremely dangerous.”

To report a stray horse, contact Bradford Council on (01274) 431000, Incommunities on (01274) 475261 or police on 101.

Anyone who would like to join the Bradford HorseWatch scheme should contact PCSO Julie Hansord on 07595 009211.