Dog euthanised after attack on horses

ATTACKED: Jayne Parris with her miniature horse Poppy, who was chased and mauled by roaming dogs on Tuesday. PHOTO/LYNDA FERINGA

A dog has been euthanised following an attack on two miniature horses in Masterton on Tuesday.

The owner of the horses, Jayne Parris, had been out when the attack happened but her neighbours had seen the dogs chasing the horses around the paddock.

The neighbours intervened, scaring off the dogs with a pinch bar and chasing them away in a ute.

Masterton District Council spokesman Sam Rossiter-Stead said the ring-leader of the attack, thought to be an American Staffordshire terrier, had been put to sleep yesterday afternoon.

A second dog involved in the incident will not be put down.

"The pup who, from what we know, was just following and didn't take part in the attack has been classified as menacing by deed," he said.

This meant the dog would have to wear a muzzle in future.

The 14-year-old horse, Rosie, received bites to her front leg, and 5-year-old offspring Poppy had about eight to 10 wounds covering her body.