Mistley: Owner’s disgust after dog attack leaves two horses with horrific injuries

Shetland pony Jenny suffered a severe gash in one of her legs (Image: Archant)

Maureen Taylor, who runs Mistley Park Place, said she has been left “disgusted” by the actions of the dog’s owner who ran away from the scene leaving the animals “shaking and bleeding” in their field.

One horse sustained bite wounds on its nose and legs while a 20-year-old Shetland pony had muscle ripped from one of its rear thighs – an injury vets fear may affect the way she walks forever.

According to Mrs Taylor, the attack took place at around 12.30pm on Saturday while she was working on the grounds of the park, which is home to almost 2,000 rescue animals.

She said: “A woman driving by pulled over to tell one of my staff that she had seen a dog hanging off the nose of one of the horses. As I was running to the field, I was also stopped by a couple who told me they had seen a man chasing his dog around the field trying to capture it and that the horses were going frantic.”

What Mrs Taylor found horrified her. Her grey 10-year-old Andalusian-cross called Chispa had been bitten through the nose and leg while the black Shetland pony, called Jenny, who is in her 20s, had a 30 sq cm gash in her right thigh.

The animals were treated by vets at Catley Cross Veterinary Clinic in Wickham St Paul, where Jenny remains under supervision, receiving heavy doses of antibiotics.

Partner at the clinic, Clinton Float, said: “The wound is deep and because of the muscle loss and the risk of infection from the dog bite, there is a danger the wound won’t repair very well.

“I just feel sorry for this little old pony that was in its field minding its own business and then suddenly found a dog trying to bite its leg off.”

Mrs Taylor has reported the incident and last night Essex Police confirmed they had received a complaint.

According to Mrs Taylor, witnesses told her the dog owner was a white man, who was walking with another dog on a lead and a small child at the time that the dog – described as a black, Staffordshire Terrier-type dog - got into the field where the horses were. He was seen running off in the direction of Mistley Place Walk and Kiln Lane after the incident.

She added: “It’s disgusting that he should leg it off like that. Okay – these things happen but at least come and tell someone. If it weren’t for the witnesses, it could have been several hours before we realised the horses were injured.

“If he’d had the dog on a lead then none of this would have happened.”