An out-of-control dog attempted to viciously attack two police horses as they patrolled through a park.

Yvonne and Snaffles, ridden by Met Police officers Sergeant Leon Astley and PC Grace Miller-McCormack, from the force’s Mounted Branch, were taken by surprise during the attack in west London on Monday morning.

The diminutive dog was caught on body cam footage leaving its owner and sprinting across the park to reach the animals, during the incident in Shepherd’s Bush Green at around 11.30am. 

Amid shouts from the owner to ‘come here’, one police officer can be heard fearing for the dog’s welfare in the face of the larger animals and saying: ‘It’s going to get kicked’.

Police horse Snaffles then begins to jolt forward as the dog attempts to bite the horse’s legs, with the female officer heard saying: ‘He’s literally on the leg’.

The owner can be heard shouting more desperately at their pet, saying ‘come here, fast,’ but to no avail.

As Snaffles tries to trot away from the dog, the animal can then be seen making its way towards Yvonne.

PC Miller-McCormack can be heard saying ‘get away’, before the dog ran off in the opposite direction and attempted to bite Snaffles again. 

An out-of-control dog attempted to viciously attack two police horses, Yvonne and Snaffles, as they patrolled through a park

The diminutive dog was caught on body cam footage leaving its owner and sprinting across the park during the incident in Shepherd’s Bush Green on Monday

Yvonne and Snaffles, ridden by Met Police officers Sergeant Leon Astley and PC Grace Miller-McCormack, from the force’s Mounted Branch

‘You need to grab it, you need to get hold of it,’ the police officer can be heard urging the owner. 

Eventually members of the public stepped in to help regain control of the dog.

In a statement released today, Met Police said Yvonne and Snaffles are recovering well at their stables with minor injuries, while the officers were unharmed.

Sergeant Astley, from the Met Police’s Mounted Branch, said: ‘What should have been a routine patrol turned out to be unexpectedly eventful, where our hardworking police horses were sadly injured in the course of their duty. 

‘Fortunately Yvonne and Snaffles are recovering well and being looked after in their stables.

‘We know horses are not a common sight in the capital, but we urge all owners to keep their dogs under control to prevent this happening again.’

Investigations are ongoing and no arrests have been made. The dog was seized and later returned to its owner.

A person can receive an unlimited fine or be sent to prison for up to six months (or both) for having a dog seriously out of control. 

Investigations are ongoing and no arrests have been made. The dog was seized and later returned to its owner

If the dog injuries someone this can increase to up to five years in prison. 

Met Police said it is advisable for owners to keep their dogs on the lead if they don’t have sufficient recall, to ensure the safety of the animal and others around them.

Yvonne is 13 years old and has been a police horse since October 2020.

Snaffles, aged 15, has previously starred in Activity Ride, the Mounted Branch’s performance at Olympia, and been involved in public order policing in central London.

Anyone with information is asked to call 101 or contact @MetCC on X quoting CAD2691/28APR25.