New dog law has benefit as control order issued

Police have issued a control order after two horses were injured, and a dog was seen in their field

- By ELEANOR JONES

THE owner of horses who were repeatedly chased by a dog in their field wants other riders to know what is possible under the law, as a control order has now been imposed on the dog’s owners.

Devon & Cornwall Police has issued the order, under which the dog must be under control at all times and including a requirement to secure its home property to prevent its escape.

Kirstie McPherson told H&H she was terrified to turn her horses out in the field she rents, after her home-bred two-year-old and his dam both suffered tendon injuries.

She also had to send back a pony she had on loan for her autistic son, for fear he might be injured too.

“I’m doing this to highlight to people what steps they can take to protect their animals,” she said. “People should know that this is a crime.”

Kirstie said she first realised there was an issue early this year when her horses went through the electric fence, something they had never done previously. She installed cameras to try to find out what was happening.