Action call over horses illegally tethered on city's public spaces

At least one public open space, Constable Playing Field, off Cholmley Street, has been put out of bounds to children, because of a horse tethered on a long chain.

There have also been complaints about horses being left free to roam around John Fisher Fields in north Hull and getting onto busy roads.

Earlier this year neighbours raised a petition to complain about three horses being kept in a garden in front of a council house in 5th Avenue.

Now opposition councillors on Hull city council are demanding more co-ordinated action from both the local authority and police.

The council can impound animals but owners tend to move them on after receiving warning notices. Police can check whether a horse has an up-to- date horse passport. If owners cannot produce one, they could be fined up to 5,000.

However, Coun Terry Geraghty said when police were called by a resident, who lives near John Fisher Fields, and had been threatened by the horses' owners, he was told they could do nothing as it was "public" land.

Coun Geraghty said: "We are in a bit of a dilemma because if we take the horses into custody we have to pay for their upkeep.

"But the fact is something has to be done as these fields are used by children and young people as well as dog-walkers on this estate.

"If they are spooked and take flight then there is serious risk to life and limb, not to mention road users."

Coun Geraghty, who represents Orchard Park, said he had been surprised to discover that under old tenancy agreements people were allowed to keep animals – including horses – in their gardens, and said this should be changed.

Deputy Labour group leader Coun Daren Hale said they were not happy with the response from any agency.

"A hell of a lot of money is being incurred in repairs when they break down fences to graze or tether horses. More importantly it is a nuisance factor and public safety factor. Some owners have complied but when council officers have approached others staff have been threatened with violence and that's unacceptable.

"There needs to be a co-ordinated approach; people need to talk to each other and act."

Hull Council is now looking at putting new signs up telling horse owners to keep off their land.

Area manager (sustainable communities) Eric Neilson said: "By informing them that all council land is not for grazing horses we hope to stop the practice of moving animals from one area of land to another and encourage them to find a legitimate grazing field."

Labour councillors will be raising the matter at full council next Thursday. They are urging the authority to liaise with other councils, like Leeds, who have experienced similar problems.

Hull Council said it was aware of around 30 horses, in the 5th to 11th Avenue areas and others in west Hull, including around Elgar Road and Woolwich Drive Flats.

A spokeswoman said: "We are currently drawing up measures which will resolve illegal tethering and grazing, and keeping equines on council owned property.

"We are proposing signage in specific places such as sports pitches and public areas.

"Also we will be consulting on changes to tenancy agreements."

Humberside Police said: "The issue of horses being left loss in public fields is something that is managed by Hull Council. Humberside Police continually work with other agencies to help find sustainable solutions to community issues."