A champion equestrian horse suffered horrific injuries after the animal and its young rider were mauled by a savage dog at a beach while on holidays.

The terrifying attack at Cabarita Beach South in Tweed Heads in northern New South Wales near the Queensland border on January 2 shocked families holidaying at the nearby pony club campsite.

The dog, believed to be a Staffordshire Bull Terrier Boxer cross remains with its owners as investigations into the savage attack continue.

Cabarita Beach Pony Club campsite caretaker Issabell Star told Daily Mail Australia a young girl, 11, was riding her horse in shallow waters when her father noticed a dog had broken free from its owner and was rushing towards them.

The champion equestrian horse suffered horrific injuries in the vicious dog attack

They returned to the sand, where the dog jumped up and repeatedly attacked the horse in its face belly and legs, which bolted off into nearby scrub with the dog in pursuit.

The horse was later found down by campers at Hastings Point.

The girl was knocked off her horse in the process and suffered puncture wounds to her upper inner thigh when she was bitten by the dog.

Another horse handled by the girl's father was also attacked by the dog while searching for the one that bolted.

Photos of the bloodied horse afterwards show its gruesome injuries, which required emergency surgery.

The horse's competitive rising career may be over after it underwent emergency surgery

'The horse was absolutely mauled- it had to have staples as well as stitches,' Ms Star told Daily Mail Australia.

'It was bitten right up into its nostrils while the bottom lip has permanent nerve damage.

'The girl won on the horse on the Monday prior to the attack. The horse's competitive riding career could now be over as a result of what happened.'

Th girl was left shaken by the terrifying ordeal on what was her family's second day at the campsite.

Ms Star took to Facebook at the time to express her anger and warn horse riders of the potential danger when using the beach.

The fact that the dog attacked two horses and a young girl doesn’t seem to be enough for it to be destroyed which is not good enough in my opinion,' she wrote.

'Please be extra careful whilst riding.'

Many other families were also holidaying at the site at the time.

While off-leash dogs are allowed at one end of South Cabarita Beach 200 meters south of Norries Headland, they must be on a leash along the section where the attack occurred.

'We're a small community so it's been an emotional and distressing time for everyone involved,' Ms Star said.

'Horse riders know there's a risk and have been chased along the beach before but nothing to this severity.'

'It has affected the community here but hasn't stopped riders from using the beach.'

Police were called to the incident but no further action was taken, while council investigations continue.

The horrifying attack happened on Cabarita Beach South in Tweed Heads on January 2

Ms Star is disappointed the dog wasn't impounded and is still with its owners.

'Nothing has been done about the dog, which could do the exact same thing again,' she said.

'It's very lucky the attack wasn't worse than what it could have been.'

The campsite caretaker hopes it will prompt horse riders and dog owners to work together so a similar attack never happens again.

'I want to see common courtesy prevail so all of us can enjoy the beach,' Ms Star told Daily Mail Australia.

'If dog owners on beach see a horse approaching, they should keep them restrained, while riders should slow down until the dogs walk past.'

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Tweed Shire Council for comment.

The dog involved is believed to be a Staffordshire Bull Terrier Boxer cross (stock image)

The council website states all dogs must be on a lead when in a public place unless in a designated off-leash area.

'A dog that is in a public place must be under the effective control of a competent person by means of an adequate chain, cord or leash that is attached to the dog and that is being held by (or secured to) a person,' it states.

'An infringement notice will be issued for non compliance.'

The council told the Gold Coast Bulletin it had inspected the owner's property and was satisfied the dog was 'appropriately secured'.

'All dog owners must ensure they have adequate control over their dogs in a public place, including in an off-leash area,' a spokeswoman told the publication.