Police are appealing for witnesses after two of their horses were attacked by a dog in London.
Met Police Mounted Branch officers Sergeant Leon Astley and PC Grace Miller-McCormack were riding the horses, named Yvonne and Snaffles, when they were chased by the dog in Shepherd’s Bush, west London, at around 11.30am on Monday.
The small dog chased the horses and repeatedly made attempts to bite their legs while the pet’s owner struggled to get the animal back under control.
Police bodycam footage worn by PC Miller-McCormack shows the small dog running up to the two horses on Shepherd’s Bush Green.
The officer is then heard warning that the dog is “going to get kicked” as it begins chasing Yvonne, a 13-year-old grey horse, being ridden by Sergeant Astley.
In the footage, PC Miller-McCormack is later heard saying “get away” as the dog runs back and begins to target 15-year-old Snaffles – the brown horse she is riding.
The dog then begins to chase Sergeant Astley’s horse again as members of the public appear to be shouting off camera.
PC Miller-McCormack then appears to be speaking to the dog owner as she says: “You need to grab (the dog), you need to get hold of it.”
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Police have said members of the public ultimately had to step in to help detain the dog.
Yvonne and Snaffles are recovering well at their stables with minor injuries, and the officers were unharmed, the force added.
Police said an investigation is ongoing and no arrests have yet been made. The dog was seized and later returned to its owner.
A person can receive an unlimited fine or be sent to prison for up to six months, or both, for having a dog seriously out of control.
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If the dog injures someone, this can increase to up to five years in prison.
The Met Police has therefore said it is “advisable for owners to keep their dogs on the lead if they don’t have sufficient recall, to ensure the safety of the animal and others around them”.
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Sergeant Astley said: “What should have been a routine patrol turned out to be unexpectedly eventful, where our hardworking police horses were sadly injured in the course of their duty. Fortunately, Yvonne and Snaffles are recovering well and being looked after in their stables.
“We know horses are not a common sight in the capital, but we urge all owners to keep their dogs under control to prevent this happening again.
“We’re appealing for any witnesses of the incident to come forward by calling 101 quoting CAD2691/28APR25.”
