The new importation rules, according to the CDC, are meant to protect the health and safety of people and animals by keeping rabies out of the country.

However, the blanket ban is posing a serious danger to the indigenous dogs of the Caribbean Islands – also known as “potcake dogs”.

Now, the Caribbean Dog Rescue Coalition, made up of a total 14 dog rescue organizations, is working hard to implore the CDC to amend the new rules to help thousands of healthy, rabies-free potcake dogs from being euthanized.

The New CDC Dog Importation Rules

Before we dig into the issue at hand, let us first take a look at what the new CDC dog importation rules look like.

On May 08, the CDC issued their new dog importation rules that will take effect on August 01 of this year.

Per the new rules, all dogs entering the United States must adhere to the following:

• Appear healthy upon arrival
• Be at least six months of age
• Be microchipped
• Be accompanied by a CDC Dog Import Form online submission receipt.

Additional rules also apply based on where the dog has been in the last six months and whether or not the dog is vaccinated in the United States. For example, if a dog is arriving from a country with a high risk of dog rabies, then the dog must be vaccinated against rabies.

And no dog is exempted from these rules – even service dogs and dogs born in the country must adhere to these importation rules.

This also means that the current temporary suspension for the importation of dogs from countries with a high risk of rabies during the COVID-19 pandemic will expire when the new rules go into effect.

The Caribbean Dog Rescue Coalition On The New CDC Ban

As per the Caribbean Dog Rescue Coalition, when the new importation rules were announced, there was one rule that was not previously mentioned nor made clear:

“Effective August 1st, the CDC is banning all dogs from entering the United States from ALL foreign countries under the age of 6 months old/180 days old.”

This means that rabies-free countries are not excluded from this ban, which the members of the Caribbean Dog Rescue Coalition are all from, and therefore do not pose a risk.

This has sent concern among Caribbean dog rescue organizations. And because of this, the Caribbean Dog Rescue Coalition, made up of 14 dog rescue organizations and committed to the rescue and welfare of the indigenous Caribbean dogs, was formed.

The Coalition is imploring the CDC to amend their new ban to at least allow rabies-free countries to be exempt or to reduce the age of the imported dogs from 6 months to 16 weeks.

The latter request is due to the fact that members of the Coalition can only rescue potcake dogs by airlifting them off the islands. And a 6-month-old Caribbean puppy will exceed an airline’s in-cabin weight limit of 20 lbs.

The Coalition also highlights that the existing Caribbean Island rescue health protocols fall in line with the guidelines for required and recommended health care as outlined by the American Veterinarian Medical Association.

Linda Gunville, Director, Bruno Project Rescue, Inc. explains, “With the dog receiving a rabies vaccination at 12-weeks-old and adhering to strict health protocols, we oppose this blanket ban.” 

The Coalition also explains that the potcake dogs they rescue do not take up shelter space in the United States, where shelters are already at maximum capacity.

The President of the Bruno Project Rescue, Inc., Blake Ulrich, also says, “With respect to the intent of keeping canine-rabies out of the United States, this blanket ban will end up doing more harm than good for rescues within the Coalition. The dogs we rescue do not take up shelter space in the States as they travel directly into permanent homes.”

Janelle Nadeau, Foster Coordinator, Adoption Coordinator, and Flight coordinator for New Life for Paws also tackled the ongoing crisis across US animal shelters reaching maximum capacity and how it is not the responsibility that the potcake dogs must be burdened with.

Nadeau said, “Astronomically high veterinary costs and lack of low cost spay/neuter clinics throughout the US are a driving factor to why people cannot afford their pet and shelters overflowing.”

Potcake dogs are also called cunucus and coconut retrievers. And they have a long and somewhat mysterious history.

They are believed to be derived from a mix of Labrador, German Shepherd, and Fox Terrier breeds that the Spanish and English people exploring the islands bought with them throughout the years.

And as a result of their heritage, potcake dogs vary in coat color, size, and appearance. But they typically have long noses, large, pointed ears, and a smooth coat.

Volunteer dog rescuer and Potcake Place K9 Rescue founder Jane Parker-Rauw describes a potcake dog as “intelligent, loyal, calm and resilient” – characteristics that make a wonderful family companion.

Furthermore, the dogs are also described as resourceful, strong, and brave dogs due to the fact that most of them have to live their lives in the streets, fending for food.

Protecting And Saving The Potcakes

Did you know that a potcake dog’s life expectancy on the island, with human intervention, is only three years?

This is because potcakes are mostly born in the wild and do not have a home of their own. As a matter of fact, locals consider these dogs as pests and do not treat them very kindly.

These dogs die from being run over by cars, tied up, drowning during hurricanes, being kept in boxes that are too small as they grow, being poisoned, slashed by machetes, stabbed by locals, etc.  So, staying in the island will do more harm than good for them.

There is also the problem of overpopulation on every island that potcake dogs are found. Unfortunately, most of the Caribbean Islands do not have enough resources or space to control this.

This is why numerous dog rescue organizations do their best to rescue and care for potcake dogs, so they can get a second chance at a safe, suitable, and loving forever home off the Caribbean Islands.

Furthermore, these dog rescue organization do not just take care of these dogs, they’re also doing everything they can to educate locals about proper animal care and the importance of spaying/neutering to change the locals’ perspective on the dogs.

While it is true that much more work is needed to protect and save potcakes, there is no doubt that these dog rescue organizations are slowly making a positive impact on the lives of these dogs.

How Does The New CDC Ban Affect The Potcake Dogs?

Most tourists fall in love with potcake dogs and want to adopt and bring them back home in the US.

As a matter of fact, back in 2011, one of our authors and the Co-Founder of Clear Conscience Pet, Amanda Malone Bennie, flew to the Turks and Caicos Islands with her family, fell in love with potcake dogs, and decided to adopt one.

The way these dogs get to go home to their forever home is by flying in-cabin with their adopters or with a flight volunteer as puppies.

And members of the Coalition fly between 100 to 150 dogs to safety and into their forever homes in the US each year.

However, since the upcoming CDC ban states that all dogs entering the country MUST be at least 6 months old, saving and adopting the dogs will be impossible and will, therefore, cause unnecessary deaths to thousands of puppies throughout the Caribbean.

Ulrich says, “The ban will cause thousands of innocent puppies on the island to die or live short lives where all they will know is starvation, dehydration, poor health and suffering.”

This is because at 6 months old, potcake dogs usually exceed the in-cabin weight limit of 20 lbs. At this point, the dogs will have to fly cargo instead of flying in-cabin.

But this poses another problem – as many Caribbean Islands do not allow dogs to fly in cargo due to the temperatures and the size of small island planes that don’t have enough space for kennels.

And those that do have cargo-capable planes charge thousands of dollars instead of the in-cabin fee of $125.

Alison Driscoll, President & Co-Founder of the Caribbean Canine Connection calls the CDC ban “cruel” and “inhumane” explaining, “This incredibly cruel and unnecessary ban on puppies under 6 months of age from being allowed to enter the US will lead to the suffering, torment, and death of thousands and thousands of puppies and dogs all over the world, who would have otherwise been able to receive a second chance at a happy, healthy, and wonderful life with a loving family here in the states.”

Furthermore, this will result in shelters (that are already at full capacity) to house puppies for months to a year until they can get a flight.

These puppies would’ve otherwise been given a new hope at life and would have been flown to their forever homes.

“The shelters simply do not have the physical space to take in and keep all of the dogs for 6 months let alone a few years,” Gunville reveals.

Furthermore, the Coalition works tirelessly to control overpopulation and each rescue group from the Coalition spays and neuters between 500 to 1000 strays a year.

With this ban, the issue of overpopulation will also cause problems for the tourist attractions, such as beaches, in the Caribbean Islands – as they will become breeding grounds for the dogs while overpopulation grows at a rapid pace.

Gunville explains, “The money received from the adoption donations is how the shelters are able to afford spaying and neutering the strays.“

The Effects Of The New CDC Ban Before It Even Gets Enacted

Even before the new CDC ban takes into effect on August 01, members of the Caribbean Dog Rescue Coalition are already seeing and experiencing its devastating effects.

“After June 1st any newborn puppy born is left the fend for itself, most likely dying a horrifying and painful death and we will run out of time to save them. They wouldn’t be old enough to fly by the August 1st deadline,” Nadeau explains.

Nadeau also reveals that they have been receiving hundreds of messages from tourists begging them to help and rescue puppies they’ve found dumped throughout the island of Aruba, and they had to painstakingly refuse.

“Their time to be saved has run out,” Nadeau said. “Daily, there are pleas for NLFP to assist with a happy, healthy puppy who could easily be on their way to a much better life.”

What You Can Do To Help Protect Potcake Dogs

The Coalition is doing their best to help save potcake dogs so they can live a better life in the US. However, they cannot fight the good fight alone. So, they are calling for public support to pressure the CDC to reconsider its stance and amend the ban.

Animal lovers and advocates alike are urged to join their campaign to protect these vulnerable animals by doing any of the following:

1. Learn more about the potcake dogs and the situation here.
2. Support and sign the Humane Society of the United States’s petition opposing the ban here.
3. Sign and share the following change.org petitions:
   • Petition by No Dogs Left Behind, Inc.
   • Petition by Save the Satos
4. Use this sample letter to contact the CDC and lend your voice to the cause.
5. Follow the Coalition on Facebook to read helpful information and stay up to date on the latest details of the situation.
6. Buy any of the Coalition’s merchandise. Proceeds go towards the Coalition for any legal fees incurred.
7. Donate to the members of the Coalition in any way, shape, or form. See all the members here.

New Smyrna Police Department officers responded to the scene at the New Smyrna Beach on Sunday afternoon after a passerby noticed the dog in the car.

The New Smyrna Police Department wrote a statement on Facebook saying, “The windows were cracked only slightly, and no water was left inside for the dog.”

The Police Department reveals that at the time of rescue, the dog has been in the car for nearly an hour.

They also revealed that the temperature outside was 86 degrees, “meaning the temperature inside the vehicle was likely 100 degrees or more.”

In the body camera video released by the Police Department, the dog can be heard panting before an officer gave it water to drink through the cracked window.

A police officer can be heard saying, “I can reach in there, she’s pretty sweet.” While another officer chimed in saying, “You like us, huh?”

Thankfully, officers with the New Smyrna Police Department were able to safely rescue the dog from the vehicle and transported the dog to the Southeast Volusia Humane Society.

Police spokesperson Ava Tanner, through USA Today, discloses that charging affidavits were sent to the Volusia County State Attorney’s Office for both owners, a 27-year-old and 28-year-old from Orlando.

Tanner reveals that both owners will face the following first-degree misdemeanor charge: confinement of animals without sufficient food, water, or exercise;  abandonment of animals.

“Never leave an animal or a child alone inside a vehicle, even for a short period. It could be deadly,” New Smyrna Beach Police Department reminded the public. “Thank you to the vigilant person who noticed the dog in the car and reported it so we could help.”

Following the incident that happened on Sunday, May 19, the City of Sturgeon Missouri’s Facebook page released a statement, publicly defending the police officer’s actions.

According to the statement, the Sturgeon Police Department (SPD) received a call about an injured animal at large.

When the SPD officer, identified by local news outlets as Myron Woodson, arrived at the scene, he noticed that the “dog was behaving strangely and displaying signs of possible injuries and/or what the officer perceived to be rabid behavior.”

“Believing the dog to be severely injured or infected with rabies, and as the officer feared being bitten and being infected with rabies, the SPD officer felt that his only option was to put the animal down,” the statement read.

They then found out later that the dog, named Teddy, was not injured nor had rabies – it was blind and deaf.

Another statement was released as further defense saying, “The City believes that the officer acted within his authority based on the information available to him at the time to protect against possible injury to citizens from what appeared to be an injured, sick, and abandoned dog.”

The public statements led to a massive public outcry, which led to Sturgeon’s mayor, Kevin Abrahamson, resignation.

The mayor’s departure from office was announced on Saturday, May 25, on the City of Sturgeon Missouri’s Facebook page.

Following the mayor’s resignation, Seth Truesdell becomes Sturgeon’s Mayor Pro Tem, or temporary mayor.

Truesdell released a statement saying, “The board of Alderman and myself do not agree with former Mayor’s statements and were not giving any notice before release.”

“Like you we were just as appalled by what we saw,” he continued.

Currently, officer Woodson is revealed to have been placed on leave and will remain on leave indefinitely.

Furthermore, an online petition to remove Woodson from his position has now garnered over 59,000 signatures (as of writing).

The Mayor Pro Tem revealed that he has reached out to the Boone County Sheriff for an investigation.

“I personally give my condolences to the owners of Teddy. I know nothing I do now or in the future will bring Teddy back,” Truesdell wrote.

Talking to KOMU, Abbey Harnish, Teddy’s owner, revealed that the dog, “couldn’t hear, like when we would call to him.”

She further explained, “He had a little bit of a tremor with his head. So whenever he would walk with a wobbly head, that’s just part of his neurological problems.”

Harnish also reveals that Teddy was being taken care of her ex-partner, Nick Hunter, when the unfortunate incident happened.

The Independent reports that Hunter is suing the city and Woodson for compensation in excess of $1 million for violation of his rights under the 4th Amendment.

In the complaint, Hunter alleges that the city failed to properly train, supervise, and discipline its officers who used unnecessary lethal force on a small, harmless dog, who is deaf and blind, no less.

The lawsuit was filed on Tuesday, May 28, at the US District Court for the Western District of Missouri and is partially funded by the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF).

You can watch the bodycam video here:

(WARNING! Some viewers may find the contents of this video disturbing. Viewer discretion is advised.)

In a video posted on the Facebook page ‘Chained Dog Awareness in Singapore’, a person in the video can be heard yelling, “Welcome to hell, my friend. Four weeks of hell!” While a leashed dog is seen cowering in a corner as it is struck by a person with a metal bowl.

(WARNING: Some viewers may find the video below disturbing. Please watch at your own risk.)

The person hitting the dog was later identified as Ng Zhaohui Matthew, a39-year-old dog trainer working at the K9 Connection dog training center.

According to Channel News Asia, the Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS) was well aware of the situation, and upon investigation, has suspended Ng from a list of accredited dog trainers last year.

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), a non-profile animal welfare organization, assisted AVS in its investigation.

Ms Aarthi Sankar, executive director at the SPCA said, “We are deeply disturbed by the actions portrayed in the video as they are both abusive towards animals and insensitive towards humans. Based on the audio, we are also concerned that the perpetrator may have treated other animals under his care in a similar manner.”

After the dog trainer was suspended, AVS group director, Jessica Kwok, ensured that the dog involved in the incident was returned to its owner and is safe.

On November 29, Channel News Asia reports that a prosecutor with the National Parks Board (NParks) said that a sentencing position hasn’t been confirmed.

However, the case will be heard again in January next year. And if convicted of animal cruelty, Ng could spend up to two years in jail or be fined up to $30,000 USD, or both.

In August this year, the family’s dog, a nine-year-old Labrador mix named Parker, ran away from his family’s home during a storm.

Parker ended up in a neighbor’s home after being disoriented during the storm.

The neighbor, Hillary Mayberry, called the Stoddard County Sheriff’s Office for help. However, instead of returning Parker to his family and home, Stoddard County police officer Rodger Seal shot him and threw his body in a ditch.

According to the lawsuit filed on October 31 by Parker’s owners, Tylla and Bryan Pennington, Seal arrived at Mayberry’s home and took the dog in his patrol vehicle and drove away.

Seal then took the pooch to a nearby wooded area. In the wooded area, Seal called Parker to get out of the patrol car and come to him. Parker obliged and that was when he shot the poor dog.

According to the suit, Parker did not immediately pass away after getting shot. “Instead Parker laid suffering in great pain from the initial gunshot wound for approximately eight (8) minutes.”

“During this eight (8) minutes, Parker was drug on the ground by Defendant Seal. After an agonizing eight (8) minutes of suffering, Defendant Seal shot Parker again finally killing Parker. After finally killing Parker, Defendant Seal threw Parker’s lifeless body in a ditch.”

The suit argues that while Stoddard County has a written policy to allow a deputy to shoot animals, they should be considered “dangerous, diseased or incapacitate”, which was not the case for Parker.

The lawsuit claims that based on the dog’s behavior, it was clear that it was “neither injured, nor dangerous, nor diseased, nor incapacitated.”

According to the suit, Seal “committed the felony of Animal Abuse” for intentionally killing the dog and letting it suffer for 8 minutes after shooting it the first time.

The suit also alleges that Stoddard County has “an unwritten policy, pattern, and practice of regularly killing dogs and disposing of them.”

The Pennington family’s attorney, Russ Oliver, tells Riverfront Times, “It’s absolutely unconscionable.”

Oliver also reveals that the family is suing for $5 million “to make sure that nobody else’s dog is executed in a remote area and thrown in a ditch by people who are funded with our taxpayer dollars.”

The dog, according to BBC, was recovered at Wolverhampton railway station after BTP received a text report regarding its owner.

The BTP posted a photo of the pooch sitting on the passenger seat of a police van and peering out the window while wearing a blue shirt.

“Officers attended and ensured the welfare of the dog whilst further enquiries are ongoing to establish any offences,” the BTP tweeted.

Twitter users can’t help but notice the dapper dog’s photo. One user wrote, “Did you dress the dog up just for the photo?” which the BTP replied with, “Can confirm the fashion crime was not our doing!”

Another user wrote, “I do hope the police officer in blue T-shirt is wearing seat belt LOL”

“How do I report a crime? That shirt is a fashion crime,” another user quipped.

Currently, the BTP confirmed that the dog, identified as Mia, is in good condition and is being taken care of by the owner’s family while their inquiries are ongoing.

The Harris County Precinct 1 Constable Alan Rosen‘s Animal Cruelty Investigators and Ponderosa Fire Department found out about the dog’s predicament from concerned citizens, and quickly responded to save the canine.

Talking to KHOU, Chief Animal Cruelty Investigator Jay Chase revealed that the dog was on the balcony without water for several hours before being rescued.

According to the Harris County Constable Precinct 1, even as the rescue team reached the balcony, the poor pooch wasn’t moving at all.

Sergeant Joseph Soto from the Harris County Constable Precinct 1 shared, “We noticed the dog took in a breath, so we moved quickly to get him off the balcony.”

Soto added, “Reporting cruelty made all the difference in getting him the help he desperately needed.”

The dog has since been removed from the apartment and is under the care of Houston SPCA.

As users online became worried about the dog’s condition, the Harris County Constable Precinct 1 shared the health status of the dog in a few Facebook comments, “the dog is doing well. I just checked with SPCA” and “yes the dog is doing well as of 6:30 tonight”.

Meanwhile, the owner was revealed to be out of town at the time of the incident. According to KHOU, there will be a hearing in 10 days to determine who keeps the dog.

Harris County Constable Precinct 1 reminded the public that you can be fined $10,000 and go to prison for two years for animal cruelty in Texas.

Rob Herrin, Hillsborough County Fire Rescue spokesperson, told WTSP, that the fire was reported Tuesday afternoon and revealed that the casualties were all prized boxers.

And the five boxers that passed away due to the fire were Rummer Run’s Rabble Rouser “Rabble”, Bimberg’s Jubilant Perfect Ten for YDK “Zehnna”, Rummer Run’s Jingle Jangle “JJ”, GCHB CH Raineylane’s Simply Irresistible “Iris” and Alcher Gentry Cabaret V TMAC “Shimmer”.

Herrin said bystanders saw smoke coming from the RV’s vents and then attempted to get inside the car, but failed to do so because of all the smoke and flames.

Herrin also revealed that by the time firefighters arrived at 2:45 PM, “flames had taken over about 50 percent of the vehicle.”

The accident has broken the hearts of many people, especially from the dog community.

Brandi Munden of the AKC told CNN, “We are aware of the tragic incident that occurred in the parking lot at the Tampa Fairgrounds in which dogs perished, and our hearts are with those affected, both human and canine.”

Many dog lovers and owners alike are sharing their condolences and are even raising money for the handlers through a GoFundMe fundraiser.

Beth Henderson Downey, one of Iris’ breeders, wrote on Facebook, “We had special plans for Iris that would have continued her lines and kept mine alive as well. Now those dreams have been torn away in an 8 minute tragedy and far worse, Iris and the other 4 dogs who perished will never be home.”

She continued saying, “Hearts will mend yet never fully heal but the prayers and support of friends and family are comforting in this time of incredible pain and heartbreak.”

No humans were reportedly injured in the accident, and no other RVs were affected by the fire.

Herrin revealed that the investigation is still ongoing regarding the specific cause of the fire, but believed that it was all an accident.

AKC’s All-Breed Dog Show was scheduled to begin Wednesday, June 14, and run through the weekend at the Florida State Fairgrounds.

The incident happened on the late night of May 13 in Springfield, Colorado. According to the Springfield Police Department (SPD), they conducted a traffic stop after observing a vehicle “traveling at 52 miles per hour in a posted 30 mile per hour zone near 7th and Main St.”

In a statement, the SPD said when an officer approached the man’s vehicle, the officer saw the entire process of the driver attempting to switch places with his dog on the passenger seat.

“The male party then exited the passenger side of the vehicle and claimed he was not driving,” wrote the SPD.

SPD also said the driver clearly looked intoxicated and when asked about his alcohol consumption, tried to flee from the scene.

However, the driver’s attempt to run away was not successful and he was quickly apprehended by the police within about 20 yards of his vehicle.

SPD said, “It was discovered that the male was driving from Las Animas to Pueblo and got lost in Springfield. The male party was also found to have two active warrants for his arrest out of Pueblo.”

The driver has since been medically cleared at the hospital and booked into the Baca County Jail.

The police said the driver has been charged with the following: Driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, Driving while ability impaired, Driving under suspension, Speeding 20-24 over, and resisting arrest.

SPD also revealed that the Bent County Sheriff’s Office arrived at the scene and assisted them.

Meanwhile, the dog was handed to one of the driver’s acquaintance to be taken care of while his owner is in jail. Furthermore, SPD revealed that “the dog does not face any charges and was let go with just a warning.”

Cassie Thierauf, 38, was sentenced on April 19 after pleading guilty to child endangerment as part of an agreement with prosecutors for the dog attack in Lebanon, Ohio on Aug. 25, 2022, according to the New York Post.

While Thierauf pleaded guilty to the charges as part of her agreement, she denied the allegations made against her and her dogs.

“I would never use my dogs in a malicious or threatening type of way towards anybody, this all occurred because I didn’t shut my front door,” Thierauf told the judge according to Fox 19.

But as per reports, the judge didn’t believe Thierauf and sentenced her to two years in jail, with the possibility of two years probation when she is released.

Furthermore, her dogs were taken and humanely put down as they are considered contraband in the case.

This all began on Aug. 25, 2022 when Thierauf and another person were in the backyard of a duplex in Lebanon allegedly doing drugs, according to Fox 19’s report.

The 6-year-old’s mother came outside to videotape Thierauf doing drugs and an argument ensued. The mother ended up going back inside to call the police.

And while the mother was calling the police, the 6-year-old girl, her sister and a young neighbor girl were all playing in the front yard.

The 6-year-old’s father recalled the traumatic experience saying, “She (Thierauf) called two dogs to attack four little girls who were out front. My 6-year-old, mauled by two of them while she stood there on her front porch watching.”

While Thierauf denied the allegations, she can be heard in a video obtained by the police telling the girl’s mother, “Your kids shouldn’t have f—– with me and my dogs.”

Meanwhile, the 6-year-old girl who was mauled by Thierauf’s dogs reportedly underwent multiple emergency surgeries for the bites she sustained to her head and body, police said.

The incident happened at 28 Michigan Avenue while the police were arresting Tumerrick Brown, 22, who has 12 outstanding arrest warrants on charges that include Assault and Battery on a Police Officer, wrote the Boston Police Department (BPD) on Facebook.

The BPD explained that while placing the suspect in their custody, one of their officers was attacked by two dogs inside the apartment. And that’s when a second officer fired their weapon that struck both dogs.

The dogs who attacked the officer were said to be Pit Bulls, named Tampa and Colby. Tampa, who was just a puppy, was left injured after getting shot. According to NewsCenter 5, Tampa was on a “puppy play date” with Colby on the day of the incident.

Meanwhile, Colby, who was a three-year-old pit bull, was shot to death.

According to NewsCenter 5’s report, the police entered Colby’s owners’ apartment to search for a family member with multiple arrest warrants.

Colby’s family said Colby was inside the bathroom and likely reacted violently because of the loud noises and yelling when the police opened the bathroom door.

“We kept telling them: ‘There’s dogs in the house,’ which they were in a locked bathroom. ‘Don’t go in the house and if you do, please don’t open the bathroom door. They don’t know you,'” one of Colby’s owners said.

A family friend who was also present during the incident said the police provoked the dogs. She told NBC10 Boston, “They get in the house, I go to the bathroom, and then they shoot the dog, that’s all I could hear.”

Meanwhile, the two officers involved in the incident with the dogs were both brought to local hospitals with “non-life-threatening injuries” as per the BPD.

The Metropolitan Police shared a series of photos on Twitter of the police horse, named Urbane, with all the injuries he sustained during the attack.

In a video footage, you can see the dog continuously biting the horse’s legs despite people trying to stop it.

One person in the video is even heard saying “this is is so bad”, as the horse is seen frantically evading the dog’s attack and buckling due to the injuries it sustained.

The dog, which was later identified to be an American Bully named Coco, has been seized for assessment by the police.

And its owner, seen wearing a tracksuit in the video footage, insisted that his pet dog is friendly. “With any human she’s so good. I don’t know why it happened,” the owner said.

According to a report by the Sun, the owner blamed the police horse and said, “She was intimidated by the horse. She felt threatened.”

But eyewitnesses in the park told The Sun otherwise. One witness who was walking her own dog said Coco seemed far too interested with the horses and could tell that it was ‘looking for a fight’.

In addition to that, the owner also accused a witness, seen using a long stick to stop the dog from attacking, as ‘rude’.

Thankfully, PH Urbane has been to the vet, received the necessary treatment and is now recovering. “He will hopefully be back on duty as soon as he has fully recovered but not before,” the Met wrote.

The Met also reminded people, “We can’t stress enough how important it is to keep dogs on a lead if you can’t recall them or get them under control.”