A petition has been created to update the Dangerous Dogs Act to protect horses following an increase in attacks. The petition, set up by Victoria Privett, had received 7,500 signatures and requires 100,000 for debate in Parliament. The petition calls for dog owners to face penalties for incidents where their dog attacks a horse in public.

One recent incident involved a pony named Loki who had to be put down after being spooked by a dog off its lead, causing it to bolt onto a busy road and be hit by a car. The petition also requests a ‘leash law’ for dogs around horses to prevent incidents and injuries. The Dangerous Dogs Act of 1991 is the main law used to prosecute dog attacks, with potential amendments being considered by the government.

The British Horse Society has reported over 700 dog attacks on horses since 2020, with incidents increasing in rural areas where horses come into contact with dog walkers. The rise in dog ownership in the UK has led to more incidents, with inexperienced dog owners potentially causing harm to horses. Efforts are being made to tighten laws related to dog attacks on livestock, with the hope of providing more protection for horses and riders.