A POLITICAL row has broke out about controversial new plans to put down horses found grazing illegally.

Those animals found to be unlawfully on council land will be dealt with by Basildon Council.

Andrew Schrader, Tory councillor for Billericay East, said: “Some of them in a very poor state. In such circumstances, very regrettably, they may need to be humanely euthanised.”

However it has prompted Gavin Callaghan, Basildon’s Labour group leader, to accuse the council of neglecting horses.

He said: “They have paved over Dry Street and the Tories in Basildon voted to kill them, what exactly is their problem with horses?”

Mr Schrader dismissed the comments, adding: “ Ignoring for a moment the ridiculous hyperbole about ‘murdering horses’, he must surely be aware that we have a problem in the borough with certain individuals sadly, abandoning horses.”

The authority has confirmed it will now enforce the Control of Horses Act - which means it can remove and detain horses found occupying public land.

Under the terms of the act, owners are liable to pay any costs due to damage done by the horse while occupying the land, as well as expenses incurred by the council in detaining the animal.

And if an owner fails to meet their financial obligations within 96 hours of detention, ownership of the horse passes to the council - which can then arrange for the animal to either be sold, rehomed or killed.

Concerned residents also spoke about the policy on the Echo’s facebook page.

Clare Sparkes from Basildon, believes the legislation could stop irresponsible owners from abandoning horses.

She said: “As terrible as the worst case scenario would be, it may deter owners from leaving their ponies and horses on the roadside.

“I think is very cruel as they are left vulnerable and alone, and horses are not solitary animals. I can understand the council taking drastic action.

“Anyone that thinks that this is terrible, needs to question the part they play in the meat trade.

“Our society has strange views and values on which animals are disposable and which are valued.”

Ronald Bannister from Tilbury, hit out at the plans and launched a staunch defence of horses.

He said: “It’s not the animals fault, despite us humans being the dominant life on this planet. We do not own it!

“We are merely caretakers of it, and instead our attitude is, we were here first. We own it.

“Then that same principle would mean animals have more right to life on this planet than we do.

“Many of them evolved and have existed on this planet longer than us.”

Members of the council’s Overview and Scrutiny Commission confirmed the decision to implement the act at a meeting last Wednesday.

In 2014, the council had to spend £24,000 after horses were unlawfully left at Wat Tyler Country Park, Pitsea.