AN MP has launched a strong attack on York council officials’ record in dealing with horses tethered on verges – as it emerged that yet more have strayed into the road.

York Outer Tory MP Julian Sturdy spoke out at Westminster yesterday following a series of incidents in recent months in which horses have broken free in the York area - with two of them killed after being struck by vehicles.

North Yorkshire Police said yesterday that a member of the public had reported that two horses had strayed into Fordlands Road, Fulford, on Sunday afternoon, and had been wandering towards the A19 main road before being caught and tethered by the public.

Mr Sturdy told fellow MPs and Ministers that the issue of illegally tethered horses was of great concern to his constituents, and referred to reports in The Press about two people who had collided with horses and only survived because they were driving a 4X4 and a van.

“At the core of this issue is a very simply yet profound point of principle – that no one should be above the law, and that nobody should have their lives negatively affected by those who have little regard for such laws,” he said.

“Unfortunately, the illegal tethering of horses is seen as an acceptable and traditional activity amongst and throughout much of the traveller community.”

He claimed City of York Council had “patently failed to act decisively” on the issue. He said he had long been calling for the authority to confiscate any illegally tethered horses, but officers had told him last month it did not have the facilities to remove or to stable horses and it was therefore not able to do this.

“I am afraid this is another sorry example of the silent, law-abiding majority being once again ignored and disregarded, whilst we pander to those who are taking advantage of politically correct nonsense.”

Steve Waddington, the council ‘s assistant director of housing and community safety, said it was aware of the issues raised by Mr Sturdy in the debate.

“Where there is an immediate welfare issue, the council works with relevant agencies to ensure that the horse is removed,” he said.

“As an authority, we are working with the travelling community to develop a clear policy which will include reducing the number of horse, where possible working with the farming community to provide land where horses can graze away from the highway as well as enforcement and removal where appropriate.

“When we become aware of horses tethered at the roadside, we contact the owners if we are able to do so, to get them to move the horse(s) on. If the animal is clearly a danger to the highway, we work with the police and RSPCA to remove the danger as quickly as possible.”