The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) responded to a petition asking for updates to the Dangerous Dogs Act to protect horses, stating that there are already powers in place to address dangerous dogs and irresponsible ownership. The government does not plan to require all dogs to be on a lead in public around horses, citing a need to balance public safety, dog freedom, and welfare.

The petition creators criticized Defra’s response, stating that public safety is being overlooked in favor of dog freedom. They emphasized the need for accountability for dog attacks on horses and riders, as well as better enforcement of existing laws. Defra mentioned working on education and training to reduce dog attacks and improve data collection for better enforcement.

Recent incidents involving dog attacks on horses, resulting in tragic injuries and deaths, have highlighted the need for stronger measures to protect horses and riders. The petition calls for penalties for dog owners whose dogs attack horses, as well as a leash law for dogs around horses to prevent incidents. If the petition reaches 100,000 signatures, it will be considered for debate in parliament.