Shocking injuries of police horse savaged by dog in park - as it emerges horse's partner died at Notting Hill Carnival

23 March 2023, 12:27 | Updated: 23 March 2023, 14:04

Shocking footage shows the moment a dog attacks a police horse, biting on to its legs as the horse stumbles about in a vicious attack in a London park.

The animal keeps attacking the horse under its belly as the steed panics and onlookers rush to intervene.

One man tries to get the dog away by shunting it with a big branch in Victoria Park, Hackney, East London, as other bystanders look on.

Eventually the dog - an American Bully, Coco - is brought under control but the horse is visibly spooked, with its police rider forced to dismount. The dog's owner said his pet was spooked by the horse.

Warning: Viewer discretion is advised

The horse, called Urbane, suffered a number of wounds, which the Met showed as an example of the importance of keeping a dog under control. The attack came mere months after PH Urbane's partner, PH Sandown died policing the Notting Hill Carnival.

The photos showed a number of wounds to its legs, underneath and side, with parts of the horse's hair shaved around them. Urbane needed stitches but is expected to return to duty when recovered.

Hakan Niyazi, who owns Coco, said the dog was intimidated by the horse, and he was worried the horse would kick him.

He told The Sun. "It might look like I wasn’t doing much but I was trying my hardest. I tried to grab her.

"She was intimidated by the horse. She felt threatened.

"I thought the horse was going to kick me. If it kicks me I’m dead. If it killed me then people would be feeling sorry for me."

Mr Niyazi, who is in his mid 20s and attends college, criticised the man who intervened as "rude" and said: "I was so angry at the time. He said I didn't do nothing. I tried.”

He insisted the dog is friendly and had been around horses before, but he had learned not to let it off the lead.

"She’s so friendly. With any human she's so good. I don’t know why it happened," he said.

"I want it to go to court. I want to have my say."

The force said: "We can't stress enough how important it is to keep dogs on a lead if you can’t recall them or get them under control.

"Huge thanks to members of public who tried to help Urbane.

"He has been to the vets and is having some well-earned recuperation. He will hopefully be back on duty as soon as he has fully recovered but not before."

The footage has been viewed more than 200,000 times since it was posted to TikTok. The attack happened around midday on Wednesday.

Read more: Shocking footage shows moment moped muggers hit pedestrian to steal £211,000 watch in terrifying 45-minute spree

Officers shouted for someone to "get the dog". Police later seized the dog and are keeping it in police kennels. They are in contact with Mr Niyazi.

A witness said the rider seemed like he needed to have some space afterwards.

Read more: Man, 28, charged with attempted murder after worshippers set on fire outside mosques in London and Birmingham

She told The Sun: "Eventually there's one brave witness who grabbed the dog but then the owner takes his time to go over and put the dog on the lead.

"I was apologetic that I couldn't do anything but I was keeping my own dog on the lead and under control."

Nobody has been arrested over the incident.

The attack comes months after PH Sandown, a horse that has partnered with PH Urbane, died policing the Notting Hill Carnival.

The chestnut gelding, 14, was described as one of the most experienced horses in the Met.

It collapsed policing the carnival in August last year.