Two stray dogs attacked two horses in the backyard of a home in western Malibu last week, leaving one horse with serious injuries, according to owner Ralph Waycott, a 20-year resident of Malibu Park.
The attack, which occurred on Tuesday, Dec. 3, appears to be an isolated incident, with no similar complaints reported by neighbors. According to an official at the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control, officers were dispatched to the Busch Drive property where the attacks took place, but were unable to ascertain the whereabouts of the dogs or the identity of their owners.
Waycott told The Malibu Times he heard “unusual” sounds coming from the two horses, corralled outside. When the homeowners turned on the lights of their barn to investigate the disturbance, Waycott said they saw two dogs attacking the horses: a short-haired black dog that looked like a pit bull/Labrador mix, and what appeared to be a golden retriever, or similar breed.
The resident said the pit bull was considerably more aggressive than its counterpart, who retreated to a neighboring property upon seeing Waycott. Eventually, both dogs left without attacking any residents.
The two horses involved in the attack were a 26-year-old chestnut Thoroughbred named Tango and a 22-year-old red roan Missouri Fox Trotter named Rocky. Tango sustained several lacerations from the pit bull that required attention from veterinarians for injuries to his left front leg, right rear leg and face. Currently, he is on antibiotics and mild painkillers, but is home and expected to recover. Rocky, the other horse in Waycott’s corral, did not sustain any visual trauma, and has been acting normally, Waycott said.
Waycott said in an email that his home is “surrounded by many horses, families with children and abuts NPS parkland” and therefore he is concerned for the health and well being of surrounding families and their animals. The neighborhood where the attack occurred is located near the Zuma Ridge Trailhead.
Those with any details about more attacks by these dogs, their possible owners, or additional safety concerns are asked to leave a comment on this article or email webeditor@malibutimes.com.
If you become aware of any more attacks in the future, you can contact the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control. Their local office and shelter is located at 29525 Agoura Road, Agoura, CA 91301 and they can be reached at 818.991.0071.
