Perth 24 February 2010

Mandurah where horse riding is very popular and the local Council has specific rules for the keeping of horses was in the news recently when a rehomed shelter dog attacked a horse.  The horse was bitten severely on the muzzle causing a 10 cm tear.

The three year old mastiff crossbreed  was let out of a car and off-leash by its new owners when it ran over and bit the horse.  The dog had been sold to the family by K9 Dog Rescue Group two weeks prior to the incident.  The owners returned the dog and he was put down.

The stockhorse mare “Bess” was 20 years old and an ex Riding for the Disabled mount.  Mandurah Coastal Times reporter Michele Nugent quoted owner, Mrs Dinnison as saying Bess had been agitated and flightly since the attack.

This is a prime example of negligence on the part of an owner which has caused the death of a dog and the attack on a wonderful old horse that deserved better given her contribution to the community.

Mandurah is a city in Western Australia located approximately 72 km south of the state capital, Perth.