FIVE horses that were grazing illegally on have been removed by bailiffs as part of a major clampdown.
Two Shetland ponies were taken from the rear of Bruntoft Avenue on land owned by Hartlepool Borough Council and three were removed from grassland on Old Cemetery Road.
Action was taken after Hartlepool council announced it was adopting a “zero tolerance” approach to the problem of illegally grazing horses on the grounds of public safety and animal welfare.
The authority is working in partnership with a number of other organisations, including Cleveland Police, the RSPCA and the British Horse Society.
The removed horses will be held for 14 days to give their owners a chance to reclaim them. However, none will be released until all fees due have been paid and any left unclaimed after 14 days will become the property of the bailiffs.
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