WIGAN Council is cracking down on careless horse owners who let their animals wander.

And the crack down comes after a young child was injured in the borough.

The Council says it has had to deal with "several cases" in recent months of horses straying onto Council or private land in the Leigh and Wigan areas, and some are even left to graze on grass near housing estates.

One woman even found that a horse had wandered into her garden.

"The problem has been getting worse over recent months," said Wigan's Deputy Environmental Health officer Ashley Crumbley.

"Since becoming involved I've discovered that stray horses have injured not only a council worker but a child.

"Horses represent a serious potential hazard and we cannot allow the situation to continue."

Specialist contractors will be used to remove the horses, which the Council warns they may sell in order to recoup their costs.

But Mr Crumbley has agreed to an amnesty period while horse owners find alternative sites.

"We've agreed not to start seizing stray horses, except where there is a clear and immediate risk to public safety, before August 26.

"We advise horse owners to use this period to find alternative sites and to seek the owner's permission to graze horses there.

"We do issue grazing licences for certain areas of Council land but I am advised that all such land is currently in use and there is a waiting list."

Anyone wanting more information should contact Mr Crumbley on 01942 827072.

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