The owner of a pony who had to be euthanised on a main road last Saturday (25 January) wants to raise awareness about the dangers of dogs not being on a lead around horses.
Loki, a nine-year-old dapple palomino, broke all four of his legs when he was hit by a car travelling along Leeds Road in Lofthouse, a village between Wakefield and Leeds.
The pony’s owner, Rosita Pyne, told Your Horse that he had been spooked by a loose dog while out hacking in Lofthouse Colliery Nature Park and bucked his 17-year-old rider off before bolting on to the A road.
“I want to raise awareness about the issue of dogs not being on leads around horses, people don’t understand how dangerous it could be,” said Rosita.
“This happened because a selfish man wouldn’t put a dog on a lead.”
Earlier this week, Your Horse reported that a petition has been set up with the aim of prompting the updating of the Dangerous Dogs Act to specifically protect horses. One of its aims is a ‘leash law’ for dogs when in the presence of horses in order to reduce incidents and injuries for the horses, riders, dogs and wider public.
Offensive language
Loki was being ridden by Rosita’s granddaughter Lili-Anna. The pair were accompanied by the rider’s younger sister, 14-year-old Maisie, and two friends during the off-road hack when they encountered a man whose chocolate-coloured spaniel was off the lead.
According to Rosita, the group asked the man if he could put his dog on a lead and he replied: “f*** off, it’s public land I’ll do what I want”.
She said the dog then proceeded to run around the pony’s legs.
“It was horrific. I’ve never seen anything as bad as this before, his four legs were completely shattered and he kept trying to get up,” said Rosita, whose family had owned Loki, a Welsh section D, since he was a yearling.
“He had never bolted before; we never worried about him on the road. He was pretty laid back for a Welsh pony and very safe. He had been ridden there many times.”
Police statement
A police statement sent to Your Horse said:
“Police were called to Leeds Road, Lofthouse at 4.31pm on Saturday to a report a horse and car had been in collision.
“Officers attended and established the horse had thrown a female rider before bolting into the road where the collision took place.
“The female rider was assessed by paramedics at the scene and did not require hospital treatment.
“Sadly, the horse suffered very serious injuries in the collision, and was euthanised at the roadside to stop its suffering. Collection for the horse was arranged by an attending vet.”
A second statement received on Wednesday (29 January) afternoon said: “Police have recently been contacted by witnesses offering further information about the incident. An appointment has been made to speak with them to gather further details.”
Image and video © Rosita Pyne
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