We were called out to a mare and foal who had been attacked by a Labrador cross dog. Some passers by heard shouting and as they got closer could see the dog latched onto the foal and the owner trying to get the dog off, the mother had run away and was calling to her foal. The dog was eventually separated from the foal and the owners loaded it into the car and drove away. The gentleman who called us said he ushered the foal back to the mare and once closer could see she had also been attacked. Members of SWEP staff attended the scene and with assistance from a group of our volunteers and local pony owner the mare and foal were drifted to a nearby small holding, which the land owner very kindly let us use. We contacted the mare and foals owner who was with us within 10 minutes. He signed the pair over to SWEPs care, we immediately called our vets. On arrival the vet made the decision to put the foal to sleep as its injuries were so severe, this was done quietly and quickly and the mare was able to smell and lick her foal. The pair were then taken to our rehabilitation yard.
Soon after we received a call from the owners wife who explained the mare was one of a small group of ponies she had been given by her mother and she was a much loved mare. We agreed that the pony should be returned to her owners and she was collected soon after. It was clear when the ladies arrived that the mare knew them and that she would be much better off going back home. We were assured that she would never be bred from again due to her injuries.
This again raises the issue of out of control dogs on Dartmoor and why it is so important to keep dogs under constant control and preferably on a lead. A dog may behave impeccably at home or on its usual walks, but anything can happen without warning.
UPDATE - The dog involved in this incident has been put to sleep.
Some of these pictures may be distressing, but we feel they need to be published in order to highlight the damage dogs can do
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