A PENARTH resident has labelled the land near Sully Moors Road a “field of death” and raised concerns after several horses started grazing on the land.

The resident, who asked not to be named, has warned about the dangers of the horses escaping, from being poisoned by the fungus ragwort and the risk of them being stranded on higher ground if the land becomes flooded in the winter.

In June last year 17 horses that were based on the land were rehomed by an animal charity after concerns about their welfare. In May the fire service used inflatable boats to deliver bales of hay to the horses that had become stranded on higher ground after the field was flooded.

Trading Standards said that an animal health officer and a specialist equine veterinary surgeon had completed a joint inspection of the horses and found “there are currently no welfare issues with the horses” and “have raised concerns with the owner in relation to the history of flooding at the site”.

“It amazes me that any vet would consider this land suitable for grazing in light of the experience when the last herd of horses were moved out,” the concerned resident said.

“One little foal had skin peeling off the legs due to water conditions. Many horses and foals have died in this field of death and it will certainly happen again.”

They added: “The last crisis cost so much money after Redwings Horse Sanctuary transported the horses to Hillside Animal Sanctuary.

“Police, the fire service and my great friend Wendy Valentine, from Hillside Animal Sanctuary, took all the horses in from Sully Moors.

“This renting of these fields of death has made me really ill and so angry, as so many people supported the removal of the initial horses that suffered for so many years.

“When the winter comes and the fields flood it will then be the same as last time. It will be too late when the horses die and a lot of money is spent with the fire service, police and other authorities.”

Christina Roberts-Kinsey, Principal Trading Standards Officer for the Vale Council, said: “Trading Standards take all complaints and reports of animal welfare seriously and investigate to the fullest extent. We are in receipt of a complaint regarding the welfare and identification of the current herd of horses grazing at Sully Moors Road.

“In response to the complaint a joint inspection was undertaken by an animal health officer and a specialist equine veterinary surgeon. This inspection identified there are currently no welfare issues with the horses. There is, however, a small amount of ragwort which has been addressed with the owner and a schedule of works is currently in place to remove the weed.”

She added: “Trading Standards are satisfied that these animals are correctly identified and have raised concerns with the owner in relation to the history of flooding at the site. The owner is aware of their responsibilities under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 to ensure the animals’ needs are met.

“We are aware of the recent incident of straying and can confirm the owner has taken the appropriate measure to stock proof the fields. We can confirm the horses are grazing legally at the fields and there is a current legal written rental agreement in place.

“Trading Standards will however continue to monitor the situation.”