HORSES will have to be put down if a rescue centre is evicted from its stables over welfare issues, the owner has warned.

Stanmer Horses was handed an eviction notice by Brighton and Hove City Council over animal welfare concerns and “fundamental breaches” in the tenancy agreement.

But Danny Cross, who runs the family-run project voluntarily, says it has nowhere else to go and the eviction puts the animals at risk of “slaughter.”

The 38-year-old from Roedean disputed the grounds of the eviction and claimed some of the concerns had never been raised with him.

He said: “This centre was mine and my dad’s dream. Horses come from all walks of life, they may have been abandoned or signed over to us by owners who can’t look after them anymore. We give them a better life and I want to turn it into a trust. I want to meet with the council to sort this out but have not been given the chance to.

“I have always paid my rent on time, but it is not my fault if the cheques have not been cashed.

“The two times where horses bolted no-one was injured.”

He claimed at least 1,200 people had signed a petition against the eviction.

The noticed was issued on June 12 and the council has threatened legal action if Stanmer Horses does not leave the site.

A council spokeswoman said: “Our reasons for ending Mr Cross’s lease centres on issues about management of the stables, animal welfare and the size of the operation which has outgrown the site. Contrary to the wording of a petition launched by Mr Cross, the RSPCA does not pass on animals to him.

“The council regards animal welfare as a prime consideration in all such decision-making.”

She said both the RSPCA and horse charity World Horse Welfare visited the property on “several occasions” and expressed concerns over the ongoing and future management and welfare of the horses.

The council also has concerns over “non-payment of rent” and the “health and welfare” of the public.

She added: “Throughout the tenancy we have raised concerns about there being too many horses for the amount of stables and grazing which has resulted in hungry horses causing damage to fences in attempts to find grass in adjacent fields.

“Despite providing Danny with every opportunity to engage in this process it is our view he has failed to do so and is unwilling to remedy the breaches or alter the management of the yard to the satisfaction of the council.”

An RSPCA spokeswoman said they had received calls of concern over animal welfare from members of the public but none since the winter and it had never given horses to the organisation.