VioVet, the online pet medications and food retailer, has welcomed new legislation to prevent fly-grazing, the illegal practice of keeping a horse on public or private land without the landowner’s permission.
Targeting irresponsible owners who leave their horses, often for long periods of time, on land they do not own, VioVet says that the Control of Horses Act 2015, which came into effect on 26th May 2015, benefits both horses and landowners alike.
Richard Jordan of VioVet says the new legislation should hopefully see an improvement in the disgraceful conditions these horses are kept: “Often fly-grazing horses are dumped on land, tethered to a fence or pole, with no shelter or shade, little food and often without water and highly limited exercise – a heart-breaking sight for animal lovers,” he explains.
“Old legislation meant fly-grazing horse could only be removed after 14 days, and sold at market or public auction, but the new law ensures horses can be instantly taken in and looked after,” he continues.
A landowner must notify either the police or the owner, if that individual can be identified, within 24-hours of taking the horse off their land, giving them 96-hours to retrieve their animal. If no further action is taken and the time lapses, ownership passes to the landowner, who can give the horse to charity, re-house or initiate a private sale.
Giving landowners a wider range of options after they obtain ownership also benefits the horses: “Previously, landowners would take the horse to market having ensured it was microchipped and given farriery treatment, yet the prior owners would buy the horse back, often gaining a more valuable animal,” Richard adds.
DEFRA estimates that there are currently as many as 3,000 horses that are being illegally grazed.
http://www.viovet.co.uk
