A HORSE was viciously mauled by a dog which left it with deep wounds on its stomach and legs.

Seven-year-old Garbo lives in Hangleton Farm Equestrian Centre, in Hangleton Way, Ferring. She was grazing in a field where she was attacked.

Owner Maria Beves, 19, from Goring, went out to look for her and was horrified to find Garbo injured.

Ms Beves, a healthcare student, said: “When I found her she was hunched up and in so much pain. Her back legs were injured and she couldn’t walk, it was absolutely horrible. Garbo always goes out to graze on the field and I thought she would be OK.

“I took her to the Equine Hospital and she had two stitches on her right hind leg, one stitch on her left hind leg and she had six stitches on her stomach, which was an open wound.

“The wound was eight inches wide and each stitch is 1.5 inches apart. Garbo had five doses of sedation and she was so distressed.

"The vets said it was a dog attack judging by the angle of the punctured wounds.

"Garbo was so traumatised. She has to stay in the stable for two weeks and it could take up to six months before she can go back to her normal routine. It’s just heartbreaking.”

Garbo, a Dutch warm blood breed, has received more scans and had her wounds cleaned at the hospital. Ms Beves is pleading for the owner of the dog to come forward.

She said: “Garbo is usually quite feisty and I think she would have tried to fend off the dog. I just want to warn people there have been reports of dog attacks in the area and I urge the owner to come forward.

"The owner must have noticed their dog had attacked an animal because its mouth would have had blood on it. Owners need to make sure they put their dogs on a leash so no one gets hurt.”

A Sussex Police spokesman said: “A horse was attacked by a dog in a field at Hangleton Farm Equestrian Centre at Ferring last Wednesday.

"A vet has confirmed that the injuries sustained by the horse, believed to have occurred between 2pm and 5pm, were dog bites.

“Dog owners quite rightly enjoy the countryside walking their pets, but with dog ownership comes responsibility and sadly, too often, some owners just do not take enough care.

“Attacks on horses are quite unusual, but dogs must be kept on a lead in the countryside.

"No matter how well behaved or well trained you think they are, your pet can turn into an uncontrollable killer in the blink of an eye.

"Don’t think you can put them on a lead the moment you see livestock, they’ll probably see them before you and they’re gone.”

Call 101 and quote serial 446 of 16/12.