Warning after pig dogs attack horse

INJURIES: Karina Moore's horse was bitten three times by two large pig dogs. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

A Rotorua horse rider is pleading with hunters to put time into stock proofing their hunting dogs after she and her horse were attacked.

Karina Moore was riding her horse on a public road in Rotorua that was four wheel drive or foot access only on Monday morning when her horse was bitten three times.

"I quite often come across hunters with dogs and usually they are not a problem, however [Monday] was a different story.

Things could have been much worse if my horse had fallen on the rugged terrain or slipped once we hit the tarseal or if I had fallen off or we hit an oncoming car on the sealed part of the road.

Karina Moore

"My horse and I were heading down the road when we encountered two large hunting dogs. Both myself and my horse are well used to dogs so initially this was not seen as a problem.

"The dogs quickly became aggressive, seeing the horse as prey. I tried to growl and yell at them to get them to drop the idea of attacking my horse.

"Nothing I did put them off and my horse's only option to not be torn to shreds was to bolt for home. The dogs were hot on the chase for 3km and only pulled up once I entered my driveway and their attention shifted to the sheep beside the drive.

"My horse and myself were lucky to avoid serious injury. Things could have been much worse if my horse had fallen on the rugged terrain or slipped once we hit the tarseal or if I had fallen off or we hit an oncoming car on the sealed part of the road. Imagine if it had been a child on a small pony."

Miss Moore said she reported the incident and the dogs were surrendered to animal control.

"Unfortunately for the dogs they are being put to sleep. All of this could have been avoided with some training to stock proof the dogs."

Rotorua Lakes Council supervisor of animal control Kevin Coutts said the dogs had been surrendered by their owners and would be put down.

"It's rare for pig dogs, they are normally very well trained, or stock proofed as we call it.

"It goes back to the owners not having that total control when the dogs are off the lead. The dog owners saw the seriousness of the situation and immediately handed over their dogs, so you've to give them that."