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Dept of the Environment Transport and the Regions

Answer

Mr. Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what powers local authorities have to impound stray horses on the highway; and if he will make a statement; [146099] (2) if he will assess the benefits of introducing legislation to allow local authorities and emergency services (a) to recover the cost of removing horses wandering on the highway and (b) to provide for fixed penalty fines to be paid on redemption of horses found wandering on the highway; and if he will make a statement. [146100] Mr. Hill: [holding answer 18 January 2001]: Section 155 of the Highways Act 1980 provides that if any horses, cattle, sheep, goats or swine are at any time found straying or lying on or at the side of a highway their keeper is guilty of an offence, for which the penalty is a fine of up to £1,000. A person found guilty is also liable to pay the expenses of any person, including a local authority, who removes an animal to a pound or returns it to the keeper and for the cost of looking after the animal until it is claimed. Enforcement is a matter for the police. This section does not apply in relation to a part of a highway passing over any common, waste, or unenclosed land.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

361 c458W;361 c459W; 146099;146100

Session

2000-01

Subjects

Costs Fines Emergency services Horses Local government Powers Roads Road traffic offences

Legislation

Highways Act 1980

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk