A RIDER said her life was endangered by a man not leashing his dog while she rode in a public park.

Clare Welsh, owner of Humbles Wood Farm, said: "A quiet ride out changed within five minutes with a dog out of control of his owner. He put me, an experienced rider who is part-disabled, at risk of injury and to other people in a public place."

On Sunday, January 29 in South Park, Prudhoe, Clare was approached by an unleashed dog. 

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"When I went into the field, nobody was around and within five minutes I saw this collie running down and barking.

"I got my phone out and videoed it, shouted to the dog walker 'could you please come and get your dog', he strolled down, and the horse was getting more panicky."

"The dog is circling and herding me like a sheep, while the dog walker said 'you shouldn't be in this field', which is owned by The Woodland Trust. I'm going to take it further because it's not clear, but it doesn't say on any of the field signs no horse riders are allowed."

The Woodland Trust told Clare riders accessing the field is under review.

Her horse nearly bolted with her, but she managed to dismount.

Clare is recovering from a broken back, and said the incident caused anxiety for her and her horse.

"I was really scared, the horse was stressed. All this time, the man didn't put his dog on a lead."

A spokesperson for Northumberland County Council said: "Our animal welfare team are aware of the incident and are making enquiries. 

"It is the responsibility of every dog owner to keep their dog under control at all times."

Clare said: "I think they don't realise how much they're putting you at risk. Even if I hadn't had a bad back, someone else could've been injured, there were families around. We've got to get the message across to people.

"They've got to be responsible and cannot let a dog loose onto another animal.

"Now I don't know what my horse is going to be like around dogs. Normally my horse is fine, I have seven dogs myself.

"I wouldn't have dreamt of doing this to somebody. That man has put my life in danger and the horse and anybody else around the field."

Clare reported the incident to the dog warden. She added she is always grateful when people leash their dogs.

A dog chasing a horse and rider is dangerous for the rider but also for the horse, dogs involved and anyone in the area at the time. 

The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 makes it a criminal offence to allow a dog to be dangerously out of control, whether on private land or in a public place. Dog owners should note it is not necessary for the dog actually to cause injury, provided someone could be injured by the dog.

Northumbria Police were contacted for comment.