Miniature Pony Owner Fined for Roadside Tethering

The owner of a miniature pony has incurred a fine of £3,700 after the animal was discovered tethered on a roadside verge in Bradford. Rosemary Lowther stated that her animal, named Little Man, was removed overnight without prior notification by contractors operating on behalf of Bradford Council. A spokesperson for the council indicated that PPS Impoundments, the service it employs to address “illegal fly grazing” on council-owned land throughout the district, had issued advance warning. The spokesman added that the contractor “always endeavours to issue Notices of Intent prior to any impoundment”. Mrs Lowther, a resident of Tong, reported that her horse was taken late on Wednesday, October 30, from a verge near her home where she had placed it to graze. She further explained that a laminated A4-sized impoundment notice, complete with a contact email address, was discovered taped to a metal fence the following morning. The 45-year-old stated: “Generations have had horses there and we didn’t realise it was illegally tethered because people were coming from the factory next door and were giving him water and carrots.” She continued: “If they’d said to us can you move him, we would have moved him.” “But nobody asked us to move him and that’s why we didn’t think we were breaking the law.” To cover the fine, Mrs Lowther sought assistance from family and friends within the traveller community. Her pet was returned to her 10 days later, on a Friday, during a pre-arranged handover conducted outside Bradford Police Station. Lesley Sandford, a family friend from Leeds who assisted Mrs Lowther in securing the horse’s return, commented: “They’ve kept horses there for years and years, generations.” She added: “Then all of sudden the council says they can’t.” “Why didn’t the council put up signs to give notice that it doesn’t want this to happen any more?” Mrs Sandford questioned the substantial amount of the fine and the phrasing used in an email, which stated the animal would be “disposed of” if the payment was not made by a specified deadline. Bradford Council declined to reveal the method by which the charge was determined, though a spokesman indicated they would discuss the email’s wording with the contractors. He clarified that animals are either rehomed or sold if the fine remains unpaid. The spokesman affirmed: “The contractor always prioritises the safety of any animals involved, themselves, and members of the public and always endeavours to issue Notices of Intent prior to any impoundment.” He added: “Animals left in public spaces can pose a danger to themselves and others, and impacts the space available for communities to use.” “Naturally this concerns residents who expect the council to act.” PPS Impoundments did not respond when asked for a comment.