Keep off the grass!

Derry City Council will impound them and get their owners pay for livery services and transportation costs if they are found to be grazing illegally on public land.

A new policy approved by the Council aims to "ensure that its lands are not used for illegal grazing of livestock."

Livestock found grazing or roaming on Council lands without Council consent will be lifted and impounded.

A contractor is to be appointed to provide livery services and whilst owners will have to fork out for this if their horses are impounded they may also be subject to civil action or damages.

If no claim for livestock is made during the fourteen day impoundment period, the livestock will be disposed of by Council by sale.

A draft policy on illegal grazing was presented to Council last July; a consultation and an Equality Impact Assessment carried out last autumn.

The policy was presented for consideration to the Policy and Resources Committee in November 2009 but a deferral was agreed in order to consider a request from the Ballyarnett Horsemen Association to accommodate their animals on Council lands.

The local authority was unable to accede to this request.