Report a horse-related incident

If a horse is loose or causing an obstruction on a road or motorway and there is danger to traffic, call 999.

To report an abandoned horse, use our report a rural crime form.

Following a report being made, a visit will be made to the land on which the abandoned horse has been found and an abandonment notice will be served.

This notice will be placed in a prominent position, normally on gates or fences.

Following the issuing of an abandonment notice, the owner has four days to claim the horse.

Failure to do so, means ownership of the horse will pass to the landowner.

If the horse owner is located, the land owner may seek civil reimbursement for any damage to crops, fencing, gates or other damage the horse may have done.

Unclaimed horses which have become the property of the landowner can be disposed of via sale at market or public auction, private sale, gifting or rehoming.

To report an escaped horse close to a road or highway, call 999.

If you believe a near miss incident has happened on the roads involving a horse, report it online.

Use our rural crime form to report:

• a theft of a horse
• theft of equine assets, such as a horse box or trailer
• criminal damage to barns, stables or shelters
• criminal damage to rural land