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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Susie Beever

Police horse attacked by American Bully breed shows he still loves dogs in cute photo

Officers have shared a heartwarming clip of a police horse befriending a Labrador after he was attacked by an American Bully, claiming he is still "a dog lover".

Urbane the horse was savaged by an unleashed dog in an east London park last month, with a clip showing the attack later going viral online.

But despite his ordeal, Urbane remains firm friends with the four-legged species, with the Metropolitan Police saying he is "recovering well" from his injuries.

Horrific footage from the attack in Victoria Park in Hackney where mounted officers were on duty showed Urbane being mauled by the Bully-type breed, which was off its lead at the time.

The aggressive dog could be seen clamping its jaws around Urbane's leg in the clip, refusing to let him go, as officers screamed for the owner to put their pet on a lead.

The moment an American Bully dog attacked police horse Urbane in Victoria Park (TIKTOK)

One man using a stick to try and shoo the dog away, and later images showed Urbane suffered several nasty bite wounds to his leg and torso.

The Met confirmed on Wednesday that he is recovering well and was eager to greet the Equine Dentist's dog when it came to visit.

Posting a sweet photograph on Twitter of Urbane leaning out of a stable towards the black Labrador, officers wrote: "PH Urbane has always been a dog lover and continues to recover really well.

Urbane was left with horrific injuries following the attack (Metropolitan Police/Ferrari Press Agency)
Urbane was attacked by an American Bully (Met Police Taskforce)

"Despite his recent experience he was still desperate to say hello to our Equine Dentist's dog today.

"Thank you for all the continued questions and well wishes regarding him!"

Police previously confirmed Urbane had been removed from duty while he recovered.

The dog involved in the attack had since been taken into police kennels, they added.

Urbane has since been recovering well from his injuries (Met Police Taskforce)
He was taken off duty following the attack (Met Police Taskforce)

A Met spokesperson said at the time: "Police Horse Urbane, who received several wounds to his front legs, chest and under belly by a dog on Wednesday, 23 March is currently recuperating at our stables outside of central London.

"He is being seen daily by a vet who is making sure he is as comfortable as possible. It is believed he will make a full recovery.

"Urbane has been inundated with apples and treats from concerned and kind members of the public."

The owner of the American Bully, revealed to be a female named Coco, later claimed she was acting in "self-defence" as he insisted he had "done nothing wrong".

Hakan Niyazi, 24, appeared to stand by and do nothing during the incident, but said Coco had only lashed out at Urbane due to "feeling threatened".

"Because it's a police horse it has become over exaggerated," he said.

Mr Niyazi now fears Coco will be destroyed following the attack

The Met spokesperson added: "The police officer riding Urbane received no physical injuries and is being supported by his team at the Mounted Branch. The dog remains in police kennels."

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