Horses recovering after dog attack

CALIFORNIA -- Two horses attacked by domestic dogs on the night of Dec. 3 in Malibu Park are healing and are expected to make a full recovery. The owner of the dogs has still not been identified, but there have been no other reported incidents.

"At this point, the case is dead in the water," Ralph Waycott, the owner of the horses, said. Waycott added that he filed a full report with Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control and remains in contact with the agency, but that there has been no sign of the dogs since the incident, and no leads.

"We heard our horses' unusual voices and saw the dust from a disturbance," Waycott said, describing the incident in an email. "When we turned the lights on at the barn we saw a short-haired black dog of pit bull/ Labrador mix and a golden retriever-ish breed. The golden left rather quickly, while the black dog slowly examined me as he followed the golden onto our neighbor's property where young children live.

"We have lived in Malibu Park for 20 years and have never seen these dogs before. I have lived with horses in the Santa Monica Mountains for the better part of 60 years and have never experienced an incident like this before."

"We've placed inquiries with neighbors," Waycott said. "One had seen the dogs and claimed they were responsible for harm to wildlife on his property. No one we've contacted knows the dogs' owners. These dogs are dangerous and I'm hoping that someone in Malibu Park can help to establish ownership and responsibility."

Although unconfirmed, rumors have circulated that a third horse in the Malibu Park area was attacked and killed during the same time period.

Waycott said Tango, his 26-year-old thoroughbred, required extensive veterinary care for bites on his face, as well as front and rear legs. The second horse escaped without major injury.

"I hope as we get back on the trails that they are going to be all right with other dogs after this experience," Waycott said.

"We want to make sure people are aware," Waycott added. "There are many horses and other livestock in Malibu Park that could be at risk," he said, adding that he is also concerned for the neighborhood children.

Waycott said that he wants to dispel the rumor that coyotes were responsible for the attack. "Coyotes pass through the property every night within feet of our horses, but never bother them," he said.

Animal behaviorists say that even the friendliest and most well-socialized dog can be a serious treat to horses and other livestock. A dog can reportedly maim or kill a horse within seconds during an attack. The psychological trauma to a horse that survives an attack can impact the animal for the rest of its life, creating a serious safety risk for the horse and its rider.

Anyone with information on the two dogs involved in the Dec. 3 incident is encouraged to contact Los Angeles County Department of Animal Control at (818) 991-0071.

(Malibu Surfside News - Dec 23, 2013)