Special operation to rein in stray ponies

They caused mayhem in their pitiful search for food – dodging traffic and creating wild west scenes on Black Country housing estates.

But now at least some of the horses that were plaguing the Pensnett, Brierley Hill and Russells Hall area have been taken into special police protection and are being given new identities as they are groomed for a better life.

These victims of unscrupulous owners and traders, who dumped them on the streets for free grazing, are munching away on lush grass in idyllic fields at a top secret location deep in the countryside.

Under the tender eye of a horse professional – a young woman given the codename "Brenda" to guard against any retaliation from disgruntled owners – they are being fed and nursed through painful conditions such as "strangles", which causes abscesses around the neck, mites and lice.

They are then given a horse passport, micro-chipped and trained before being offered to new, responsible owners.

So far 31 horses have been seized by police, mainly in the Brierley Hill and Pensnett area, since April 16, after a new arrangement with Dudley Council ended months of talks on tackling the problem.

And anyone wishing to give a home to one of the strays should contact Sgt Tomkinson on 0845 113 5000, ext 7902 6711, or email c.tomkinson@west-midlands.police.uk