A HORSE that was victim to a "savage" attack by a dog has been left with injuries and the matter is now under investigation.
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The attack occurred at a property in Quandialla, north-west of Young, on Saturday, August 10 with a resident alerted to a disturbance in a horse paddock.
"On inspection, the owner was shocked to see his horse cornered by what was described as an Australian bulldog," NSW Police State Rural Crime Co-ordinator Detective Inspector Cameron Whiteside said.
According to the horse owner the dog was a red, bull mastiff cross.
"There were significant injuries to the chest of the horse and a large amount of blood around the chest and legs of the horse, but more notably, around the mouth and head of the dog.
"Two other large dogs were in the area but it is unclear if they were involved in the attack."
Owners of the dogs were alerted and the dogs were removed from the scene.
"The victim's horse had to be sutured around the chest without sedation or pain relief due to being in foal," Detective Inspector Whiteside said.
"There were injuries to the horse's legs which could not be sutured on account of skin being completely torn away."
"This was a particularly savage attack which police are continuing to investigate in concert with Hilltops Shire Council rangers."
According to the horse owner the dog had already been 'given away' to someone in Harden by the time the ranger had arrived at the property on Monday.
Hilltops Shire Council said the matter was being investigated by Weddin Shire Council.
Weddin Shire Council's ranger did not wish to comment.
According to the Office of Local Government website:
The Companion Animals Act 1998 in certain circumstances allows an authorised council officer or police officer to enter part of a property that is not used solely for residential purposes and seize a dog. These circumstances include where:
- the owner consents; or
- the dog has attacked or bitten an animal or person and the owner is not there; or
- the dog has attacked or bitten an animal or person and the owner cannot bring the dog under effective control.
An authorised council officer or police officer may enter the part of a property used solely for residential purposes where the owner consents or by virtue of a search warrant.
An authorised officer may also seize a dog at any time within 72 hours of an attack if the owner fails to keep the dog adequately secured or the officer has reasonable grounds to believe that the dog will not be kept under effective control.
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