Dorset Police are appealing for information after a dog attacked a horse in Purbeck, leading to its rider to be thrown off.
The incident occurred at Moreton Forest near Bovington at around 11.45 am on Sunday 20th of December 2020, when a woman in her 70s was riding with a friend when a group of seven or eight people with two dogs approached.
As they walked past, one of the dogs escaped its lead and attacked the woman’s horse. She was thrown from the horse as it twisted round in distress.
Horse took a graze to the leg
The woman was not seriously injured, while the horse took a graze to the leg.
The dog is described as an English Bull Terrier. Its owners, a man and a woman, are said to have called it Ocean.
A woman apologised to the victim, and the group managed to get the dog back on its lead before getting into two parked cars nearby.
Dog owners
The male dog owner is said to be white, in his 30s or 40s, about six feet tall and of stocky build. He is described as having dark, receding hair, a local accent and wore a dark hip-length coat and jeans.
The female owner was also reported to be white and of a similar age to the man. She is said to be about five foot, five inches tall, of stocky build and with dark brown hair tied at the top of her head. She was possibly wearing a light yellow coat.
Owners should “do the right thing and come forward”
Police Constable Jennie Sykes-Martin of Dorset Police, said:
“We are making enquiries into this incident and I would urge anyone with information about the dog involved and its owners to please contact us.
“I would also like to appeal to the owners to do the right thing and come forward so we can take your account.”
Contact the police
Anyone with information should get in touch with Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk, by email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, with occurrence number 55200191296.
You can also report it anonymously by contacting Crimestoppers online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling 0800 555 111.
