Police are trying to trace the owners of a stray German Shepherd dog which attacked a horse in Bradford.

Darren Manley, 38, told how his family and neighbours were caught up in an ordeal when the dog appeared outside his home in Mill Carr Hill Road, Oakenshaw.

He said the dog bit the leg of the horse, Domino, as it was being brought to his house by Mr Manley’s 23-year-old cousin Tony Coates.

Mr Manley said: “It looked like the sort of dog you see chained up at a scrap yard, like a guard dog. It was growling and showing its teeth. It bit my horse’s front leg and tried to bite my cousin.

“I came out the house and got the horse into the garden behind a wrought iron fence. We cornered the dog in my next door neighbour’s garden. It was trying to bite us but we tied it to a lamppost. It was going mad.”

The dog managed to yank its way free of the rope restraint. Mr Manley said: “It ran towards my garden next, barking and biting. It was going mental and was furiously trying to get in where my horse and my children were.

“My horse lost it and reared up in the air trying desperately to get out of the garden. It jumped up and landed on metal spikes on the top of the fence.”

The horse was left with three puncture wounds to its chest – narrowly avoiding its heart and lungs.

Mr Manley said he called the police repeatedly during the incident but was told that officers would not be sent to the scene and that he should contact Bradford Council’s dog warden service.

Dog wardens captured the dog, leaving the horse in the care of vets.

Terry Singh, manager of the Council’s dog and animal services, said: “We received a call on Wednesday morning about a dangerous dog that had attacked a horse. Dog wardens seized it and are now caring for it at the city’s kennels. We are appealing for anyone who may recognise the dog to get in touch and give us details of the owner. Anyone with information should call (01274) 433927.”

A police spokesman said: “We’re aware that Mr Manley contacted us a number of times in relation to the incident on Wednesday morning involving a dog attacking a horse.

From the information we initially received, advice was given that it was a civil matter.

“However, as the incident progressed, it was acknowledged that it was appropriate to be treated under the Dangerous Dogs Act for a dangerous dog in a public space.

“Sergeant Martyn Crossley has been in contact with Mr Manley and has explained that we are taking the matter very seriously. Enquiries are ongoing.”

West Yorkshire Police said officers were keen to trace the owner of the dog. Anyone with any information should contact Sergeant Crossley at Bradford South via 0845 6060606.