6-month-old foal fighting for life after being attacked by dog

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

A savage dog attack has left a young horse with 18 horrific puncture wounds and flesh missing from his front leg.

Denby, a six-month-old foal, is currently fighting for his life at Scarsdale veterinary practice, in Markeaton Lane, Derbyshire, after his owners found him in "terrible shock" in his field in Spondon.

Denby's owners are trying to trace the dog owner Credit: BPM

Devastated owners, Jacqueline Bantock and Robert Plume, found clumps of his fur covered in blood in the field just off the Anglers Lane canal path.

They visited the field to feed Denby, which they've only had for six weeks, along with their other horse in the same field.

Now, the pair are trying to track down the owner of the dog.

Mr Plume, who sat with Denby and stroked his head after the attack, said: "The vets are cleaning the wounds and giving him painkillers.They're doing everything they can at the moment."

He added: "The chances of his survival are not great."

Mr Plume, who said he's owned horses on and off "for a long time", called police on 101 but was told officers couldn't do much if they did not see a dog and its owner in the field.

The chances of Denby's survival are slim Credit: BPM

The couple are offering a £100 reward for any information put forward. They also want to see any CCTV of the area.

Ms Bantock's son, Stephen Bantock who lives with the couple, said theincident has been a huge shock for his family: "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."