OWNERS who allow their animals to stray onto roads could find themselves in the dock.

An agreement has been signed by Blaenau Gwent council and Gwent police to consider prosecuting animal owners who continually allow their pets and stock to stray.

In order for owners to be prosecuted witnesses are needed before the police submit a case to the Crown Prosecution Service.

During the last year the council has received 371 calls complaining about straying animals and in the same period eight horses, 69 sheep, seven cattle and a goat was impounded.

Tredegar and Ebbw Vale have the most complaints with 68.5 per cent of the calls between the two towns.

There were 57 sheep, 31 horses and 29 cows and bulls reported in Tredegar. Ninety-seven sheep, 10 horses and 29 cows and bulls in Ebbw Vale. Two horses in Brynmawr, two sheep in Nantyglo, ten horses and three goats. Forty-three sheep and three horses in Blaina and 51 sheep and four bulls and cows in Abertillery.

The council say they want to continue to work with local farmers and commoners to deal with straying animal problems on the basis they continue to repair fences.

In the last financial year the service recovered £885 in fees and costs. £233 was made from the sale of unclaimed stock at market and £625 in fines and charges paid by livestock owners.

Blaina farmer Fred Howells said vandalism is a major problem with the damaged fences.

He said: "I met with an inspector and the council but they need to realise that people who ride motorbikes or walk along the commonland are damaging the fences and we donít know until itís too late and we loss cattle.

"There's always pressure on the farmers but they need to take into account about the vandalism."

* Blaenau Gwent farmers will attend the next Full Council meeting on Wednesday, February 21 at 9.30am.