A routine horse ride turned into a terrifying ordeal in Oldham on 3 March 2025, after an unleashed dog attacked two riders, leaving one man thrown onto a car bonnet.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) have launched an appeal to identify the dog’s owner, who left the scene without assisting.
The attack took place on a busy road when an aggressive dog ran towards the horses, snapping at their legs. Witnesses reported that the startled animals panicked, with one rearing up and unseating its rider, who landed hard on a parked vehicle. The second rider struggled to control his horse as bystanders intervened to shoo the dog away.
A person believed to be the owner eventually retrieved the dog but walked off without acknowledging the riders. The victim later took to social media, posting: “You need to sort this out. You won’t walk away scot-free—everyone, please share this.” His message has since gone viral, sparking widespread calls for accountability.
GMP confirmed they are actively investigating the incident. “On 3 March, we received reports of an unleashed dog disrupting two horse riders in Oldham,” a spokesperson said. “One man was thrown from his horse onto a car, and we’re asking anyone with information to contact us via 101 or gmp.police.uk.”
The fallen rider was attended to at the scene, though it remains unclear if he required further medical treatment. The horses, while visibly shaken, did not sustain physical injuries.
Local residents have expressed relief that the situation did not escalate further. “It’s a miracle no one was seriously injured,” one witness said.
The incident has reignited discussions about responsible pet ownership and the importance of controlling dogs in public spaces. The UK’s Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 sets out clear regulations for dog owners, with potential penalties for non-compliance.
This is not the first such incident in the area. In 2023, a similar dog attack in Oldham saw police intervene after a woman was bitten, highlighting the ongoing concerns about loose and aggressive dogs in public places.
Online, the community has rallied around the affected riders. “Those horses must have been terrified,” one social media user commented, while another added, “The owner must come forward—it’s not right to just leave like that.”
Police are particularly interested in dashcam or mobile footage that may have captured the attack. “Even minor details could assist our enquiries,” the
