A Sydney man has been left with a $600 vet bill after an out-of-control dog viciously attacked his horse on a NSW beach.

Nathan Bourde was out riding his mare, Summer, with another friend at a dog beach in Wollongong early on Wednesday morning when they were set upon by a pack of dogs.

Mr Bourde had ridden his horse along the beach on only one occasion before after he had checked with local police that Summer was allowed in the area.

Summer being treated at the vet following her attack on a Wollongong beach. (Supplied)

As he road along, footage from a GoPro mounted to his riding helmet showed the beach was clear ahead except a few dogs and a woman out walking on the sand in the distance. Mr Bourde’s friend, who was on his own horse, was riding about 50 metres behind him.

“We went there as a spur of the moment early ride,” the 36-year-old, from Rossmore, told nine.com.au.

“It started out great and then all I see is a dog chasing me.”

As the distressing footage shows the dog, which Mr Bourde believes to be a pit bull, was not just chasing him and his horse, but appeared to zero in on Summer and attack.

“Before I could do anything I saw this dog race towards me. Before I could see what breed it was it was already lunging at my horse,” he said.

Nathan Bourde was riding his horse at Wollongong when the dog attacked. (Nathan Bourde)

Mr Bourde said once the dog initiated the attack, “about three other dogs” joined in.

“My horse tried to turn around and shake off the dog and then I feel off,” he said.

“When I came off I was kicking the dog with steel cap boots, that’s the loud thuds you can hear in the video, but he would fall over and get right back up again charging at my horse. That's when I was able to grab his neck and stop the attack.”

As for the dog’s owner, Mr Bourde said “she could not control her dog at all”.

“She didn’t (come get her dog). Another guy ended up coming up and holding the dog,” he said.

According to Australian Customs, dog breeds, such as the American pit bull terrier or pit bull terrier, have been recognised as a threat to public safety and have been banned from importation into Australia.

Summer’s muzzle was seriously injured in the attack, with a vein having been “ripped out of her face”. Mr Bourde said he had to use a piece of string to stem the “pouring blood” before racing on foot to get her to safety.

Nathan's horse was left with injuries. (Nathan Bourde)

“I ran on foot holding her vein… I don’t even know how I ran 20 minutes down the beach,” he said.

“She loaded up in the trailer fine, she seemed exhausted and relieved.”

He then rushed Summer to a local vet.

“All the vets and the staff were amazing. They all rushed to her, she was treated and spent the night there at the vet and seemed fine enough to go home under medication,” he said.

“Her vet bill, due to the kindness of the veterinary staff, was hugely reduced because of what had happened to her so the total was just under $600.”

Mr Bourde, who chose to speak out about the ordeal to raise public awareness, said his wife contacted the Wollongong Council immediately after the incident.

The vet bill totalled $600. (Nathan Bourde)

“They said all they can do is let the rangers know and if they see that dog they issue the owner with a fine,” he said.

“That’s ridiculous, that’s nothing. What’s it going to take to put stricter laws on that dog, does a child have to get mauled? It’s just careless.”

Nine.com.au has contacted Wollongong City Council for comment on Mr Bourde’s claims.

“If people just followed the law and muzzled their dogs that wouldn’t have happened,” Mr Bourde said.