Several horses and ponies have been found abandoned on private land near the A46 in Newark, prompting police to take action under legislation aimed at tackling illegal grazing.
Nottinghamshire Police said the animals are currently in a field accessed off the A46 between the Cattle Market roundabout and the Farndon roundabout, where they have been grazing without the landowner’s permission.
Following contact with the landowner, officers have confirmed that a Section 7C detention notice has been issued under the Control of Horses Act 2015. The notice allows the animals to be legally detained for a set period while efforts are made to identify and contact their owner.
The detention period is due to expire at 7pm on Friday, 17 April 2026. If the horses and ponies are not claimed or removed before this deadline, ownership will automatically transfer to the landowner.
Under the legislation, once ownership has transferred, the landowner is entitled to make decisions about the animals’ future, including rehoming or selling them.
Police are now appealing for information from the public to help identify who the horses belong to. Anyone with information is asked to contact Nottinghamshire Police on 101, quoting incident number 0365_11042026.
