Horse riders have been branded inconsiderate for leaving their animals' poo all over a disabled bay at a coastal car park.

The mess at Westbrook Bay, in Margate, has sparked anger and raised questions over why riders do not face the threat of being hit with on-the-spot fines.

Regular user of Barnes car park Iain MacDonald is fed-up with the long-running issue.

"Not content with leaving their poo all over the pedestrian prom, they have now decided to up their game and create a physical hazard to the disabled," he said.

"It's a common problem and just isn't very nice.

"There's horse poo along the promenade, on the beach and in the car park.

"There's lots of it and it stays for a couple of weeks and then spreads around – there's also the smell as well.

"I take my mum there in the evenings for walks in her wheelchair, and the other day the poo was all over one of the disabled bays right by where you open the car doors to get out.

"It was all over the space – it almost seemed deliberate.

"I had to park well away to avoid it when getting out of the car.

"Previously there were about 15 horseboxes in the car park, and the mess is just left there."

Horse riders are not required by law to pick up their animal's manure on the streets or during trail rides.

Dog walkers, however, face the threat of a £100 fixed penalty notice for leaving their pet's mess on the ground.

This is largely due to dog poo being more toxic than a horse's, given the diets enjoyed by both species.

But despite there being no law to pick up horse poo, riders are told in an Equestrian Space article: "Even though the law does not require you to pick up your horse’s poop, it is best to try and avoid riding where dropping is likely to cause offence; For example, children's play area, lanes and parking spaces reserved for people in wheelchairs."

Thanet District Council says there are no legal obligations and stresses that horse manure does not pose a risk to health.

A spokesman said: "One of the reasons dog owners must clean up after their pets is because dog fouling is harmful to humans. Droppings from a healthy horse pose minimal risk to human health.

While there are no legal obligations on riders to clear up after their horses, if at all possible a rider ought to try and avoid allowing their horse to leave droppings in a disabled bay, or any area where wheelchairs or pushchairs are used, out of courtesy to other people.

"Our street cleansing team is responsible for removing horse dung from streets and other public spaces. If you come across it, please report it to us via our website so it can be cleared."

Escaped animals, unusual finds and news from the RSPCA can all be found here.

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