Guilty: man ‘made no attempt to help’ as his dog attacked police horse

Police horse Urbane is recovering at the Horse Trust, following a dog attack in a London park in March. — PH Urbane, here with a police officer, spent time at the Horse Trust in recovery.

(Image credit: The Horse Trust)

A man who “made no attempt to help” as his dog attacked an on-duty police horse causing “nasty injuries” has pleaded guilty to being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control.

Hakan Niyazi Candermir, of Campbell Road, London, admitted the offence when he appeared at Willesden Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 28 September. The 25-year-old is yet to be sentenced.

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Eleanor is an experienced journalist who spent over eight years working for local and national newspapers before joining H&H as news editor in March 2016. Passionate about equine welfare and exposing the truth, Eleanor has reported on all aspects of the industry, from Brexit to anti-bullying campaigns, and from dressage rules to mules. Her sport of choice is showjumping, in which she competes her own horses, and she also enjoys reporting at local jumping shows through to international championships.

Guilty: man ‘made no attempt to help’ as his dog attacked police horse

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said: “Officers and horses were on a routine patrol in Victoria Park when they came across Candermir, who was walking his dog.

“Unprovoked, the dog began attacking the horse and Candermir was unable to control the dog or get him away from PH Urbane.”

Superintendent Martin Kirby, from the Met’s Taskforce, said it was a “very shocking event”, which “could have been easily avoided if the dog was being responsibly looked after and was on a lead”.

“Instead, Urbane was bitten by an out-of-control dog, receiving nasty injuries including tears and lacerations, while carrying out his duty,” he added.

The Met spokesman said a member of the public managed to stop the attack, by “hitting the dog multiple times and then managing to get hold of the dog and move it away from PH Urbane”.

“It was at this point, after no attempt to help during the incident, the suspect then put the dog back on the lead,” the spokesman said.

“During this attack PH Urbane sustained eight lacerations from dog bites and needed stitches to his torso and legs after receiving wounds to his front legs, chest and underbelly.”

Mr Kirby said: “Urbane had to take several months off duty to recover from his injuries but thankfully he’s now fully recovered and back patrolling the streets of London.

“He is generally very comfortable around dogs and we were particularly worried that this attack would affect the way he interacts with other animals. Happily, he’s just as relaxed with dogs as he’s always been.”

“Whilst there continue to be noteworthy and sometimes tragic cases of dogs dangerously out of control in public I’m pleased to say that the majority of dog owners are responsible. This case illustrates why always having control of your dog is so important.

“I would also praise the calm actions of PS Mann who was riding PH Urbane, and who dealt with a difficult situation with professionalism and fortitude.”

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