Pressure builds for action to be taken on Ford horse

The horse left in Ford which has sparked debate

Animal rights activists have been protesting about the stallion, which has been left to graze on a grass verge in Yapton Road, Ford, by its owner.

They are concerned that the animal has been left on the grass verge with no shelter. However, the horse’s owner, who claims to be called Mark Joans, said he visited the horse regularly each day to feed it.

Now, a West Sussex county councillor has raised his concerns about the animal’s situation.

Councillor Graham Jones (UKIP, Felpham) said he had been contacted by a number of people from across the area, who had appealed to him for action to be taken.

Mr Jones said that there was legislation within the Highways Act 1980, which could see the animal moved on if it posed a danger to passing motorists.

He explained: “I have been doing some digging and have spoken to Kent County Council, which has used such legislation when dealing with travellers. The council’s officer, who has experience dealing with this, advised me that it is, in fact, against the law and breaches section 149 of the Highways Act 1980.

“Kent successfully uses this legislation to remove horses in conjunction with an animal charity.

“I believe this is something that we could use to try and help this horse so I have let our county council officers know about it.”

He supported protesters’ concerns about the animal.

“The horse has been left out on the highway when it really shouldn’t be there, regardless of what the owner says.”

Animal charity the RSPCA has received numerous calls in recent weeks about the horse from local residents.

However, a spokeswoman said the charity only had limited powers that it could use.

She said it could only use welfare legislation to act and could not use any legislation within the Highways Act 1980.

She added: “The horse would have to be suffering for us to act.

“It’s worth pointing out also that we are a charity and don’t actually have any legal powers in any instance – even with welfare concerns it is the police who would seize the horses, not us.

“Just like any member of the public, we cannot remove an animal without the permission or the owner, or the support of a vet or a police officer.

“We would just try and find a way to look after the animals and rehome them after they had done this, and make sure their welfare is the best it can be at all times.”