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Dogs attack Swedish women on horseback

Published: 16 Apr 12 07:33 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/40276/20120416/

Three female horseback riders were attacked by a pair of loose dogs while out for a ride on Sunday afternoon in eastern Sweden, with one woman suffering severe bites in the face and neck.

The incident took place northwest of Norrtälje when two women, ages 28 and 67, were out for a horseback ride with a 12-year-old girl near Rekinde, outside of Edsbro.

"Two dogs that were running loose showed up and started to chase the horses, which then galloped off," Håkan Brolin of the Norrtälje police told the TT news agency.

After being chased a few hundred metres, the 12-year-old girl jumped from her horse.

Shortly thereafter the 67-year-old woman attempted to dismount from her out-of-control horse, at which point she tumbled violently to the ground, injuring her back.

Meanwhile the two dogs, Alaskan Malamutes, continued their pursuit of the 28-year-old woman and her horse.

"Then the 28-year-old jumped or fell off. Then the dogs attacked, biting her badly in the face, as well as in the neck and the rest of her head," said Brolin.

At the same time, Jan-Erik Hägglund was out on his terrace having coffee when he heard the galloping horses and went to investigate.

"I ran over and saw a woman in the ditch with two dogs on top of her. She didn't call for help, I just heard cries," he told the Expressen newspaper.

Hägglund was eventually able to chase the dogs away before attending to the injured woman and calling emergency number 112.

The 28-year-old was taken to Karolinksa University Hospital in Stockholm via helicopter, while the 67-year-old was taken to hospital in Norrtälje.

While the 12-year-old girl was physically unharmed, she was left exhausted and traumatized by the dramatic dog chase.

The dogs were put down late Sunday evening, while their owner is now suspected of violating Sweden's laws regarding the oversight of cats and dogs, as well as for causing bodily harm to another.

"He's very upset about what has happened. He said that his dogs have never shown behaviour like this before," Brolin told Expressen.

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08:09 April 16, 2012 by bolababu
"He's very upset about what has happened. He said that his dogs have never shown behaviour like this before," Brolin told Expressen.

-well now they have so good riddance, ..it doesn't cost the earth to keep your dogs on a leash, it is fast becoming a trend that people let their dogs roam just because they think they know them not to be violent, people who think so actually do not know dogs at all. Besides, some people actually need to be reminded that they really are not children, a one year old dog is an adult animal.
08:21 April 16, 2012 by Liquidmonkey
maybe if we let dogs roam a 'bit' more freely, these things wouldn't happen?

putting the dogs down is going a bit too far IMO. afterall, the dude in norway killed 77 people, even admitted it but yet he is still alive while we pay for his cell and food.

i feel sorry for the lady and hope she heals well (physically and mentally).
10:00 April 16, 2012 by gpafledthis
Reminds me of norwegian wife telling of her fisherman husband coming home after 8 months up north !!
10:32 April 16, 2012 by Hogwash
So, should Sweden be concentrating on controlling domestic dogs or wolves?
10:42 April 16, 2012 by libertarianism
Sad for every being involved.

Re 1,, a one year old dog may not be an adult animal. Many breeds take years to reach physical and mental maturity.

Horses kill as many or more people than dogs. Doctors kill far more people than horses and dogs combined. :(
12:27 April 16, 2012 by Migga
Putting down the dogs is the first and only thing to do. After that the owner should be held accountable and brought to justice.
19:20 April 16, 2012 by bramblebush
Alaska Malamutes are not normally an agressive breed. However, former female Alaska Governors who quit their term to go find fame and fortune are an agressive and dangerous breed.
21:10 April 16, 2012 by strixy
"He's very upset about what has happened. He said that his dogs have never shown behaviour like this before," Brolin told Expressen

Typical excuse of all owners of out of control dogs. Dogs will be dogs. Malamutes have strong pack drive and will form a hunting pack at every possiibility, They also have a tendency to roam.

I have been observing dog ownership in Scandinavia and I have no doubts dog attacks wills oon be rocketing in both Sweden and Norway.
03:35 April 18, 2012 by Investor612
LOL. bramblebush has a bad case of Palin derangement syndrome.
01:24 April 20, 2012 by Coalbanks
If the riders had stuck together, stayed on the horses & used some sense they could have prevented these injuries. On the other hand the dog owner could have controlled his dogs with a leash...
18:51 April 27, 2012 by endurancerider
"Used some sense"? Were YOU there? I was...

Our horses ran off because two wolf-sized dogs came charging at them at high speed, which is a really threatening situation to any horse, no matter how accustomed they are to loose running dogs (which our horses all were). If they had stayed put, they would have been attacked like I was. If I'd stayed on my horse when we approached a highly-trafficed road, I could have been killed by a truck. Please, save your advices for a situation where they're useful, and tell me how you "stick together" on three out-of-control bolting horses running for their lives? And how would that have made the situation any better?

/the rider
16:33 April 29, 2012 by DAVID T
Obviosly the horse riders had no control over their animals - I've see horses used by cops at football matches and riots and they don't run off - learn to ride before going out in the cuntryside
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