A leading councillor has demanded that Bradford Council, Leeds Council, the police and RSPCA crack down on loose and illegally-tethered horses.

Councillor Andrew Carter branded “disgusting” the fact that three horses died in the Thornbury area of Bradford, around Dick Lane, in 12 days.

Now he is calling on the four organisations to stop passing the buck and get their heads together to bring an end to the problem.

Coun Carter, who represents Calverley and Farsley and is leader of the Conservative group on Leeds City Council, said: “I am disgusted. It is a very unhappy and unacceptable state of affairs.”

Two of the horses died on January 29. Coun Carter said the third had slipped into a beck, and added: “It had been there some considerable time, so clearly the poor animal died in some distress.

“I am calling for enforcement officers of Leeds and Bradford Councils, the RSPCA and police to get themselves together and get this problem sorted out.

“It is not acceptable for the situation to be left like this – I am determined to see action.”

Coun Carter said he had received complaints from residents living nearby about horses on the loose and wandering round estates.

He also said: “There is always an issue when it comes to cross-boundary issues, with each saying it’s them, not us. But I’m not having that.

“It is worth them joining forces and sorting this out.”

Coun Andrew Thornton, executive member for environment, sport and sustainability at Bradford Council, said: “Bradford Council and its partners take the issue of loose and illegally-tethered horses very seriously.

“Over the last three years we have impounded about 150 horses that were illegally tethered on Council land across the district, including a number from the Dick Lane area.

“The police have also removed a number of animals that were loose on the highway.

“The Council works in partnership with a number of agencies and organisations to tackle the public safety issues and animal suffering caused by irresponsible horse owners. We expect all horse owners to act responsibly but when they don’t, we and our partners will take steps to protect the public and the unfortunate animals.”

A spokesman for Leeds City Council said: “We take action to deal with tethered horses on land owned by the Council and will work with partners as required to resolve such problems.”