Terrified horses roaming around

The bedraggled animals have been spotted grazing in Bexhill Drive, Polegate Drive, Hindley Green, the Shell garage and Leyland Park, Hindley, causing alarm to residents.

Although the horses are now believed to be secure, locals have expressed concern for the horses’ safety on social media,

Gemma Morgan posted on Facebook: “Does anyone know who these horses belong to? They are very frightened and knocking fences down. They are going to end up getting hurt.”

Kelly Haydock posted: “They look shattered, poor things. They are going to get hurt, if not by a car then by gangs of kids out all night.”

Another reader said: “There is manure everywhere.

“Surely someone should be held accountable and made to clean it.”

A spokesman for Wigan Council said it was working on removing the horses and warned that owners should act more responsibly to protect animals and the public.

Penny McGinty, assistant director for leisure and property, said: “We are aware of horse fly-grazing taking place across the borough and will take action to remove horses from council land.

“We are currently working on a plan which would allow us to tackle this and take action quicker. Horse owners need to recognise the dangers that loose horses create and act responsibly to control them.”

Only a few weeks ago, the Evening Post reported that two horses had wandered on to Gibson Street and Bickershaw Lane, Bickershaw, causing motorists to swerve to avoid a collision.

A horse owner is liable in common law for any damage which is caused by a horse he owns where it is due to the owner’s own negligence.

A horse owner can also be liable in the tort of nuisance where he allows horses to escape onto his neighbour’s property.

For example, if a horse owner fails to keep his horses properly secured and allows them to roam freely, the owner will be responsible if the horses enter his neighbour’s land and cause damage to the property.