The owners are appealing for help to trace the owner of the dog (Picture: BPM)

A foal is in a critical condition after being bitten by an out of control dog so badly that flesh is missing from its front leg.

Denby, who is just six months old, is in a critical condition after suffering at least 18 injuries in his field in Derby between 5.30pm and 6pm on Monday.

Owners Jacqueline Bantock, 50, and Robert Plume, 58, found Denby and rushed him to Scarsdale vets.

Robert said: ‘Our other horse has been acting as a mother figure for Denby, he must be traumatised by what happened.


‘We’ve only had him for a few weeks, we were hoping to have him for life.’

Denby, a six-month-old foal, is currently fighting for his life at Scarsdale veterinary practice (Picture: BPM)

Jacqueline Bantock, 50, and Robert Plume, 58, have been shocked and saddened by the incident (Picture: BPM)

Jacqueline added: ‘Someone must have seen a dog with blood on it. Now that dog has had a taste of blood, it could happen again to another animal or child.



‘There should be a new law out there about keeping dogs like that on leads. I just need to know if anyone has any information.’

Speaking about Denby’s recovery, Robert said: ‘The vets are cleaning the wounds and giving him painkillers. They’re doing everything they can at the moment.

‘The chances of his survival are not great.’

The full extent of Denby’s injuries will only be known after he has had an x-ray.

The young horse was left fighting for his life (Picture: BPM)

Police are investigating, but Robert and Jacqueline have been told there is little chance of the dog or its owner being found.

They have put up a £100 reward for information and will be checking to see if there is any CCTV locally.

Jacqueline’s son Stephen said: ‘I just want to stress how important it is to keep control of your animals. This time it was a small horse, but next time it could be a child.

‘I’m just concerned that the owner of the dog knows what has happened and doesn’t take any precautions to prevent something like this happening again.’

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