60 'fly grazing' horses seized near Cardiff Airport

The horses taken to Lincolnshire were said to be 'feeling tired and the effects of travel' after their journey from land next to Cardiff Airport

More than 60 horses that were "fly grazing" near Cardiff Airport have been taken away and rehomed.

Vale of Glamorgan council said it had seized the animals which had been dumped there by their owner.

It said an animal charity had helped it rehome the animals at sanctuaries in Lincolnshire, Bristol and Devon.

Earlier this month, 40 Welsh Gypsy Cobs which had been dumped at a wood near Wick were moved after it emerged they faced being seized and destroyed.

The local authority said on Thursday that it had launched a large-scale operation to deal with horse left on land it owned near the airport at Rhoose.

Rehoming horses

It said that, as the landowner, the council had been left to foot the bill for their care and welfare.

Under the Animals Act 1971, a landowner can issue a 14-day notice for the owner of animals left on its land to claim them, after which the landowner becomes the legal owner.

More than 40 cobs were left to 'fly graze' at a wood near Wick over Christmas and new year

After gaining possession of the horses, the council said it had the help of Norfolk-based charity Redwings to round up the horses last Friday and find them new homes.

Redwings has taken 23 horses, 30 were taken in by Bransby Home of Rest for Horses in Lincolnshire and 10 were rehomed at HorseWorld in Bristol.

The Donkey Sanctuary in Devon provided help with transportation, the council said.

A spokesperson said: "The activity of horse dumping or fly grazing will not be tolerated within the Vale of Glamorgan.

"We will continue to protect animals, to ensure they receive the care they require and deserve."