A Scottish horse stud is demanding urgent legal action after a series of terrifying incidents involving loose dogs chasing valuable breeding stock—including a heavily pregnant mare and a newborn foal. The dangerous encounters have sparked calls for stricter leash laws to protect horses and the people who care for them.
A Dangerous Pattern Emerges
Becca Cameron, youngstock manager at Ormiston Highlands near Kingussie in the Scottish Highlands, was shocked when she discovered pregnant mare Gordina and new mother Jura with her two-week-old foal Norman being chased by an out-of-control husky. The terrifying moment left her shaken and angry.
“I heard the pounding of hooves and saw the dog chasing them,” Becca explained. “The owner was nowhere to be seen. I shouted at the dog, but it wouldn’t respond, so I had to chase it away myself.”
Repeated Offenses Go Unpunished
What makes this incident even more disturbing is that it’s not an isolated occurrence. The same husky has been caught multiple times harassing the stud’s horses, including chasing stallions across fields and even pursuing a Shetland pony so aggressively that a child fell off during the chaos.
Despite repeated complaints and direct conversations with the dog’s owner, the situation has remained unresolved. “He says things like we must have been mistaken and that it wasn’t his dog,” Becca said, frustration evident in her voice. “But we know what we’ve seen.”
A Second Terrifying Incident
The very next day, another distressing incident unfolded. This time, Becca witnessed a man with two collies off-leash on the pathway running through the pasture where Norman and Jura were grazing. When she stepped away for just five minutes, disaster struck.
“By the time I got back, Norman had bolted through the fence and was on the other side of the field with the man and his dogs nearby,” Becca recounted. “Norman was squealing in panic, and his leg was stuck in the fence. He could have broken it. If I hadn’t been there, we could have had a dead foal. It was absolutely awful.”
Calling for Stronger Protections
These harrowing experiences have driven Becca and Ormiston Highlands to demand legislative change. She’s advocating for a law that would require all dog owners to keep their pets on leads, particularly in areas where horses and other livestock are present.
“I am expecting another incident to happen,” Becca warned. “People can do what they want, and we can’t stop them. We’re happy for people to walk their dogs here—they’ve been doing so for years—but we just want them on leads. It’s a simple solution that could prevent tragedy.”
The Broader Issue
This situation highlights a critical gap in animal safety laws. Horses are prey animals by nature and can panic when chased, leading to injuries that range from minor cuts to life-threatening fractures and worse. Young foals are particularly vulnerable, and pregnant mares face the risk of losing their unborn foals if frightened severely enough.
For equestrian facilities that welcome the public onto their properties, the stakes are high. A single off-leash dog incident could result in devastating consequences for valuable breeding animals, not to mention the liability concerns for the farm itself.
What Needs to Change
Becca’s call for change resonates with horse owners and farmers across the country. Establishing clear, enforceable leash laws—especially in rural areas where horses and dogs share space—could prevent future tragedies without eliminating public access to beautiful countryside.
Until such protections exist, stud farms and horse owners remain vulnerable to the unpredictable actions of irresponsible dog owners. The next incident at Ormiston Highlands may not end as fortunately as this one did. It’s time for lawmakers to listen to those on the front lines of animal care and implement meaningful protections.
Have you experienced similar incidents with loose dogs? Share your story in the comments below and help raise awareness about this critical safety issue.