Most horrible experience of my life!

I thought a stallion was classed as a dangerous animal? Therefore there has to be certain measures in place to keep it on a property, so that it can not get off the property or land? If it was a lion that was roaming, another 'dangerous animal' they would do something? I hope the Police listen to you the next time you speak to them, and the Council too. If not, go the Police Complaints and the papers. This Stallion could kill or seriously injure someone and then it will be in the papers that the Police and Council had knowledge of this but chose to do nothing, thefore they will be liable for not taking action to prevent another incident. I find it quite shocking actually. :(
 
If it's an official bridlepath, then get on to the council. If it is just a path over a farmer's land for the TROT route then there is little you can do as the TROT scheme is not legally-binding. The farmer's "kindly" allow riders to use their land but are under no obligation to maintain the condition of the paths or fencing that runs alongside it, unfortunately. My yard has part of a TROT route going through it and my YO is the local coordinator for scheme.
 
Not read all the replies, but I work for the council and they have the right and powers to request the owner to improve the fencing, or remove the animal to a safer location.

It is in the Highways Act 1980 Section 8 (I think somewhere in there) I did find this....
"If any animal, which is known to be dangerous by the keeper of the animal, causes injury to a member of the public using a Public Right of Way an offence may be committed and the occupier could be sued by the injured party." This is what the Highway Act say's but in a more simple form!!
Don't let your concil try to fob you off saying it's nothing to do with them, quote the Highways Act that they have to abide by.

Hope everyone is ok and the youngest riders are not to shuck up that they stop riding.
 
Thankyou all, mum is going to be chasing up the council, police and all of the links I have been given. Everyone is still in shock with many not being able to sleep last night, all will definetely be carrying on riding, just never ever on that hack again.

I will go take some photos today of the injuries of some of the horses and injured rider is taking photos of her leg as we speak, you can see every single tooth indentation in her leg and has left a massive bruise, only seemed to break the skin and not go too deep but it may still scar.

I do hope it hasnt knocked anyone of our confidence, but there is cows going on the common soon which is another place we ride, which I know even though it's a totally different animal, we will still have the worry of a wild animal being close to us.

ETS: picolenicole - the stallion looks very similar to king in your sig, just a larger black marking on his right side!
 
Last edited:
Call the BHS bridleways officer in your area. Go to the BHS site and it should give you a number to call. They should be able to give you all the help you need.
 
marydoll said:
Ask to speak to the senior police officer or take to the police complaints commission. I would then turn my attention to the owner of the stallion who has been put into a place where he has attacked both horse and human on a public path, he may not know the bridle way boundries the stallions field. If he chooses to do nothing, speak to an equine lawer about taking out a private prosecution, if my dog bit someone who was walking in a public place id be held liable, i cant see how this is any different
Click to expand...

Its not that the police won't do anything, they can only deal with criminal and common law, I've had a look at Common Law and there is nothing that relates to this and I can promise it is not criminal law. Best bet is to ask the older rider to speak to the local council and ask them to involve the Community Safety Unit. If you council has one of these they are a multi agency unit who will look at things from all angles and hopefully be able to get this issue with the loose horses resolved.
 
caitlin95uk said:
Thankyou all, mum is going to be chasing up the council, police and all of the links I have been given. Everyone is still in shock with many not being able to sleep last night, all will definetely be carrying on riding, just never ever on that hack again.

I will go take some photos today of the injuries of some of the horses and injured rider is taking photos of her leg as we speak, you can see every single tooth indentation in her leg and has left a massive bruise, only seemed to break the skin and not go too deep but it may still scar.

I do hope it hasnt knocked anyone of our confidence, but there is cows going on the common soon which is another place we ride, which I know even though it's a totally different animal, we will still have the worry of a wild animal being close to us.

ETS: picolenicole - the stallion looks very similar to king in your sig, just a larger black marking on his right side!
Click to expand...

Hi, So sorry to hear about your friend, can you PM me where this took place, my friend is chairman of the Worcestershire Bridleways Association i will pass the info on to her and your details if you PM me them, i also can talk to the equine liason police officer in Worcestershire and see if anything can be done?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top