Council Impounds Horses

The owners of horses that have been generating on-going complaints to council face having their horse impounded and being fined.

Ruapehu District Council (RDC) Compliance Team Leader, Brenda Ralph, said that her staff has impounded two horses over the last couple of weeks where the owners have failed to respond to council’s requests to take better care of their horse and prevent it from being a public nuisance.

“The owners have had repeated warnings from council about the care and keep of their horse around residential neighbourhoods,” she said.

“Irresponsible horse owners have been an on-going issue in some Ruapehu townships for a while concerning both council and the Police.”

“Council has been trying to work with the horse owners to change their ways without impounding animals and imposing fines.”

“Unfortunately in these cases the owners have ignored our warnings about the consequences and failed to change their behaviour forcing council to take a harder line.”

Mrs Ralph said that council has been receiving numerous complaints about horses wandering freely around residential neighbourhoods or horses being tethered inappropriately such as in public reserves.

“One horse owner has even admitted that he habitually lets his horse loose at night to wander the streets to feed,” she said.

“Horses wandering the streets at night are an obvious traffic hazard as well as doing damage to public and private property.”

“One owner has received a $375 fine with the horse being returned on the condition that it is kept in a rural area from now on.”

“The second horse is currently in the council pound and we are awaiting contact from the owner.”

Mrs Ralph noted that if the owner fails to contact council to address the issue within seven days then the horse can be put up for public auction.

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