A dog owner has received a control order after his dog attacked a police horse.
Jardain Woodroffe, 20, of Warley Street, Bethnal Green, pleaded guilty at Thames Magistrates’ Court on February 20 to failing to stop his “out of control” dog causing unnecessary suffering the horse.
The violent attack took place on November 9 and left the horse with 20 puncture wounds that needed attention from a vet.
Two mounted officers from Bow Stables were riding in Mearth Gardens, Bethnal Green, on patrol.
As they entered the park, a large brown dog, likened to a Staffordshire bull terrier, ran at the horses and began to dart around their legs, causing them to panic.
The dog then inflicted 20 puncture wounds to the belly and legs of one horse, named Jamestown – wounds that required being taken to the vet.
Woodroffe, the dog’s owner, was found to have not done enough to control the dog.
He was issued with a Dog Control Order, telling him to make sure his dog is muzzled and on a lead in public, and ordered to pay a fine of £85.
PC Stephen Rodgers, wildlife crime officer for Tower Hamlets, said: “This was a very serious case that shows how much damage can be caused in a short space of time when a dog is allowed to be out of control.
“It was thanks to the quick thinking and expert horsemanship of the officers at the scene that further injuries were avoided on this occasion.
He added: “It is hoped that this case serves as an example in that where dog owners fail to adequately control their dogs in public, it will be taken seriously by police and owners will be prosecuted where appropriate.”
PC Rodgers added that Jamestown has made a full recovery and is back on duty.
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