Ashley Stickley and Dominic St John were backfilling a grave in Warwick Cemetery when they heard barking and the high-pitched whinnying of the two horses kept in an adjoining field.
Ashley, 22, said: “We both ran down the hill and jumped over the fence to see what we could do.
When we got there we saw what looked like a Staffordshire bull terrier hanging off the nose of the older horse as it bit into its face - it was squealing in terror and trying to kick out but the dog wouldn’t let go.
“The younger horse was already running around, bleeding from the side of its head.”
The shocking incident happened just before 3pm last Thursday off Wedgnock Lane, Warwick. Police are appealing for more witnesses and for the owner of the dog - a dark brown to black Staffordshire terrier type - to come forward.
A vet, who spent four hours stitching and patching up the injured animals, said Spikey, the 30-year-old Welsh cross Shetland pony, had a life-threatening puncture wound to his chest, a deep bite into his nose which went right down to the muscle, and a torn flap of skin under his chin.
The other pony, a yearling colt not much bigger than a St Bernard dog, had to have a large flap of skin on his nose stitched back on.
Both the rescuers, who work for Warwick District Council’s grounds maintenance contractors, Glendale, have been thanked by stable owner Julie Ankers, who said: “I’ve no doubt Spikey would have died but for the actions of these two brave men.”
Fortunately Dominic, aged 49, who has some experience of livestock, said: “We knew we had to get in quick because this dog wasn’t going to stop. I’ve seen this sort of thing before.
“The dog’s owner was standing beside the field shouting but he wouldn’t come in and grab the animal - he said he was too scared of the horses who were kicking out and trying to get free.”
Dominic managed to seize the lead from the owner as Ashley grabbed the dog which was still snarling and coming round for another attack from the rear as the men managed to clip on its lead and drag it away. The dog then ran off without its owner, leaving both horses needing emergency veterinary treatment.
Julie said: “I can’t thank Ashley and Dominic enough. This dog has to be found. What would have happened if it had attacked a child?”
(warwickcourier.co.uk - Oct 13, 2012)
