TWO horses were seized in an early morning operation at Batu Ferringhi by the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) to curb horseback riding activities.
Three horses were found in an illegal shed on state land along Batu on Thursday (Sept 5) during a check by the local council.
MBPP enforcement director Noorazrein Noorazlan Ong said the operation was conducted following a complaint that horses were being kept there.
"The state government announced that horseback riding activities would be banned along Batu Ferringhi from Sept 1.
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"This is a follow-up on the announcement and we identified this illegal shed.
"There is no proper drainage and the waste is going into the river next to it.
"This is illegal and a notice was earlier issued to the owner on July 19 to move," he told a press conference at the scene.
Noorazrein said the notice gave ample time for the horse owner to take down the shed and move the animals.
"They were still here so we have now taken action to demolish the shed and take the horses," he said.
However, it is learnt that the owner arrived during the demolition and took one horse away.
"We will take the other two horses to the MBPP veterinary centre for examination," Noorazrein said.
Earlier, state local government, town and country development committee chairman Jason H’ng said the ban on horseback riding followed several complaints from hotels and the public, particularly about safety and cleanliness in the area.
"Other factors were also considered, including animal welfare and the illegal construction of structures by those running these activities," he said.
