Horse runs loose in city centre

The horse weaved between cars on Westgate Street Enlarge Image

Drivers in Cardiff were stunned to see a runaway horse galloping down one of the city centre's main roads as it weaved between cars.

The horse was spotted at the top of Westgate Street on Thursday evening, heading in the direction of the Millennium Stadium.

Police pursued the terrified animal before contacting Cardiff Council to try to capture it.

However, a council contractor was unable to track it down.

BBC Wales journalist Sam Ryall photographed the horse from a car as he waited at traffic lights at the top of Westgate Street.

It looked terrified to be on the loose in a busy city centre, surrounded by traffic and being followed by a police car Sam Ryall, BBC Wales

He said: "It galloped straight at the car. For a moment I thought it was going to vault the car, but instead it swerved around me and ran off.

"The horse was distressed, with its eyes wide open, and started weaving in and out of the cars queuing at the lights.

"It looked terrified to be on the loose in a busy city centre, surrounded by traffic and being followed by a police car.

"The police car positioned itself across the road to stop the horse getting as far down the street as the Millennium Stadium."

'No sign'

South Wales Police confirmed that officers were called out to deal with the horse.

A spokesman said: "We had an initial call from Cowbridge Road East saying a horse was on the loose and officers were sent to the scene.

We regret any alarm or distress caused by this particular stray horse Cardiff Council

"But the incident was immediately referred to the highways department of Cardiff Council."

The council said a contractor sent out to deal with the incident was unable to capture the animal.

A statement read: "The council was informed of a stray horse in Cardiff's city centre last night.

"A contractor was dispatched immediately to investigate the whereabouts of the horse.

"The contractor found no sign of the animal and checked for an update from the police who were also unable to locate it.

"Another trawl around the area resulted in no sightings of the horse."

'One-off problems'

The council said it took the issue of stray horses in the city "very seriously indeed".

It said: "Recent operations have led to the impoundment of stray horses with owners paying a £75 per horse fee to microchip [or] passport the horses prior to being returned to the owner.

"This has led to a significant reduction in the problem across the city.

"However, we are aware that one-off problems can still occur and we regret any alarm or distress caused by this particular stray horse."