A HAMPSHIRE MP has welcomed a new House of Commons debate regarding horse tethering.

Many constituents have been in contact with Eastleigh MP, Mims Davies, voicing their concerns with horse tethering.

MPs came together to discuss what more could be done, as well as praise the work that has been carried out by charities such as RSPCA and World Horse Welfare.

Ms Davies, pictured, said: “I’m really pleased to see this issue back on the agenda.

“Our animals are often our closest companions and it’s important that they’re properly looked after.

“As Eastleigh’s MP, I know how important animal welfare is for the people that I represent and was pleased to have the opportunity to work alongside Ministers at the Department for Food and Rural Affairs.

“Locally in Botley we have seen first-hand the harrowing impact that fly grazing had on horses and ponies, something that many local residents raised with me, and led me to raise the issue with ministers.

“Like those same residents, and those that have written to me recently over horse tethering, I support the highest standards of horse welfare, something that I was pleased to see the minister echo within his closing comments during the debate last week, and I am really looking forward to visiting the Gleneagles Equestrian Centre team, based on Allington Lane, in April, who do so much to teach people in our area about how to care for these gracious animals.”

Tethering horses is not illegal in the UK, but welfare charities such as the RSPCA have raised concerns.

Dr Mark Kennedy, equine welfare expert at the RSPCA, said: “As the biggest animal welfare charity, we are called almost every day by people up and down the country who are concerned about tethered horses, some of which have suffered horrible injuries after becoming tangled up in their tethers.

“In fact, last year we received more than 5,000 complaints about tethered horses.”