Animals Act 1971 (c. 22)

Strict liability for damage done by animals E+W

[F1 4A Liability for damage and expenses due to horses on land in England without lawful authority E+W

(1) This section applies where a horse is on any land in England without lawful authority.

(2) The person to whom the horse belongs is liable for—

(a) any damage done by the horse to—

(i) the land, or

(ii) any property on it which is in the ownership or possession of the freeholder or occupier of the land, and

(b) any expenses which are reasonably incurred by a person detaining the horse under section 7A or 7B of this Act—

(i) in keeping the horse while it cannot be restored to the person to whom it belongs or while it is detained under section 7A or 7B of this Act, or

(ii) in ascertaining to whom it belongs.

This is subject to the other provisions of this Act.

(3) For the purposes of this section a horse belongs to the person in whose possession it is.]

Textual Amendments

F1 S. 4A inserted (26.5.2015) by Control of Horses Act 2015 (c. 23), ss. 4(1), 5(1)