I was heartbroken to hear of the death of yet another horse in Hall Lane, Moses Gate, Farnworth, as reported in the Bolton News.

This was an accident waiting to happen and regrettably it won’t be the last.

This has been going on for over 25 years.

Before retiring from my position in the RSPCA in 2012, I optimistically stated that if it was the last thing I achieved it would be to sort out the illegal fly grazing of ponies.

This was not to be, but it was not for the lack of trying.

Over many, many years I wrote countless letters and organised countless meetings between the council (borough solicitor’s department), gypsy liaison officer, police, local councillors and landowners in an attempt to have these ponies removed to a safer environment.

DEFRA do not even enforce their own legislation regarding horse passports and microchipping and when incidents like this occur, ownership cannot be proved, costing charities and taxpayers the financial and emotional burden of paying the price.

I feel, too, for the poor motorist involved. I attended on many occasions, day and night, to rescue ponies from the highway and from the park side of the road.

I was faced with obstacles all along the way, be it legalities, apathy and even fear of reprisals but it is still one of my biggest regrets that I failed these animals.

Now a coalition comprising World Horse Welfare, the Countryside Alliance, the NFU, the CLA, RSPCA, Redwings, The British Horse Society, Blue Cross and HorseWorld believe that unlawful fly-grazing has increased significantly in recent years, and on a conservative estimate at least 3,000 horses are being fly-grazed in England alone and stronger laws are needed to address the problem.

I would beg readers to join in calling for improved or updated laws — like the Control of Horses (Wales) Act 2014 which became law in January — to enable landowners to address the problem more swiftly, and serve as a deterrent.

Please, please write to your MP and ask him/her to support Julian Sturdy MP’s Private Members’ Bill.

Time is of the essence as this Bill will only go forward for debate on October 24 if there is sufficient support from other MPs.

Please write NOW — tomorrow could be too late.

It is already too late for one poor mare and her orphaned foal.

Katherine M Kay Bromely Cross