THE ENVIRONMENT Agency (EA) has issued a flood alert for the Mardyke Valley.
River levels remain high in the area. There is a potential for further heavy rain which may cause the river levels to rise further.
The EA are continuing to monitor the situation.
Meanwhile, horse lovers are also concerned for the welfare of horses in the area.
A spokesperson for the Essex Horse and Pony Protection Society said: “The calls are pouring into us regarding the horses on the Mardykes.
“Reports say that horses are in wading around in the water. There are too many horses for any one organisation to deal with at the present time. We appreciate that no caring horse owner should need to be told to take their animals to safety, but unfortunately there are people out there who DO need to be told.”
Both Thurrock Council and Essex Police have been involved in discussions regarding the welfare of the horses.
In a letter alleged to be from a senior council officer. He said: “The council stance is that in the short term there is not very much that the Council can do concerning this situation and that they are advised that the legal responsibility lies with the horses’ owner.
“We have been in touch with our tenant (who owns the horses) this morning and he has undertaken to move the horses to more suitable land while the current weather conditions prevail. We have written to him to confirm our understanding that he will do this.
“In the longer term the Council recognises that it does not have the capacity to give this site the intensive management that is required. Therefore in the New Year we will begin a process of trying to identify an appropriate environmental organisation to manage the land on our behalf. This is likely to take several months but I would hope will bring about improvements in time.”
Wrong. The tenant is not the owner of the horses. Thurrock Council are well aware of this so why are they misleading people? The whole Mardyke issue is a joke. The Council have lost control of the situation over the years as they have not monitored it as they should have done. Thurrock Council are inept as well as having a rather elastic relationship with the truth. ‘Fess up TBC and do something right for one. These animals deserve better. Stop blaming everyone else for the mess you have allowed to develop here.
Why are someone elses horses the responsibility of the Council Tax payers of Thurrock? Shouldn’t the owner be taking responsibility here?
Ed – The Council rent to a cattle farmer for a peppercorn rent (i.e. nothing!) He has illegally sub-let the land to various horse owners. The Council received a lot of money from Heritage Lottery Fund to maintain the land and protect the natural habitat. This has not been done. The Council have no idea now who is on the taxpayers land and, as a consequence, they don’t know who owns the horses – they can only go to the tenant. There is a clause in the Heritage Lottery Agreement that the Council will monitor the welfare of the animals throughout the year. This was one of the provisos of them getting the funding. This is not the only breach believe me. The tax payers of Thurrock have also been dealt a rum deal by TBC. No animals should be under threat of drowning either. Too many have done so in the past and more are in danger of doing so. Let’s get the animals safe and then concentrate on what other issues Thurrock Council have failed on in the duty to the taxpayers.
I can’t believe that TBC have been made aware of this situation well before floods were imminent and done nothing about it.
Regardless that the rent is peppercorn there must be a tenancy agreement – and cant see subletting being allowed.
I agree that the horses are the responsibility of the owners. But early they are not acting responsibly. If you’d had horses drown previously in better weather, why would you risk further deaths? So therefore it falls to the landlord to impose responsible ownership.
I have no problem with horses living out. I do have a problem with them not having safe dry standing, adlib hay & shelter.
Come on TBC – lead by example and act responsibly!!