Dog launches vicious attack on New Forest pony as owners are warned to keep pets on a lead

An Australian cattle dog was pictured attacking a New Forest pony as guards at the celebrated national park today urged walkers to keep their pets on a lead.

Pictures emerged of the dog, allowed to run off leash, attacking a mare in Wilverley Plain, which is popular with dog walkers.

The dog can be seen baring its teeth as it chases after the horse – which was supposed to kick at the animal.

The New Forest Commoners Defense Association, which aims to protect historic rights to graze animals in the area, said there was a growing problem of dogs terrorizing livestock and chasing away nestlings in the national park.

It has been home to the world famous New Forest ponies since the end of the last Ice Age and the animals roam freely in the area.

You can see him baring his teeth as he chases after the horse

The horse was forced to kick at the animal as it chased after him

Around 3,000 cattle and 5,000 ponies roam freely in Hampshire’s New Forest during the summer months, with dog owners being asked to keep their pets on a lead and give livestock ample berth.

The cattle are released on the open heathland by the forest dwellers, local residents who have the right to let their animals graze on the land.

The incident comes after an NFU Mutual survey of more than 1,100 dog owners found that two-thirds of owners admit to letting their dogs run loose in rural areas.

The New Forest Commoners Defense Association said dog attacks on livestock were on the rise.

Andrew Norton, a local farmer and chairman of the group, said: ‘It’s definitely becoming a bigger problem nationally, and indeed here in The Forest.

“The majority are very good, it is only a small minority that causes the problems.

“No matter how cute and fuzzy your dog is, he will chase if cattle run away from him. I think it’s an inbred pack instinct and people should be aware of it.

“If you encounter livestock while walking, put your dog on a leash and give it a wide berth.

The photographer who captured the incident was walking in the woods with three friends when he saw a dog running out of the woods towards a grazing pony

The dog approached the pony and started barking at it

The photographer, who declined to be named, said the whole incident lasted five minutes

‘There can be lots of foals running around having fun at this time of year, and there is also the danger of dogs scaring off nesting birds at this time of year, people need to be sensible.

‘The New Forest is huge, there’s enough room for all of us here.

“Luckily the mare involved is doing well and has not required any vet treatment, New Forest ponies are tough.”

The photographer who captured the incident was walking in the woods with three friends when he saw a dog running out of the woods towards a grazing pony.

The photographer, who declined to be named, said: “The dog approached the pony and really started barking at it.

“We think it may have been an Australian sheepdog, a breed that bites the ankles of cattle to make them move.

“The movement of the pony made the dog more excited and it started barking and barking at him.

“In the end, the owners came along very casually and after a while managed to get the dog out.

“The whole incident lasted five minutes, it must have been five minutes of fright for the pony.”

Earlier this year, the New Forest District Council passed an order making it a criminal offense to feed wild ponies, horses, mules and donkeys roaming the forest after advice not to feed the animals ‘on a daily basis’ was ignored.