The owner of a pony who had to be euthanised on a main road last Saturday (25 January) wants to raise awareness about the dangers of dogs not being on a lead around horses.Loki, a nine-year-old dapple palomino, broke all four of his legs when he was hit by a car travelling along Leeds Road in Lofthouse, a village between Wakefield and Leeds.The ponys owner, Rosita Pyne, told Your Horse that he had been spooked by a loose dog while out hacking in Lofthouse Colliery Nature Park and bucked his 17-year-old rider off before bolting on to the A road.I want to raise awareness about the issue of dogs not being on leads around horses, people dont understand how dangerous it could be, said Rosita.This happened because a selfish man wouldnt put a dog on a lead.Earlier this week, Your Horse reported that a petition has been set up with the aim of prompting the updating of the Dangerous Dogs Act to specifically protect horses. One of its aims is a leash law for dogs when in the presence of horses in order to reduce incidents and injuries for the horses, riders, dogs and wider public.Offensive languageLoki was being ridden by Rositas granddaughter Lili-Anna. The pair were accompanied by the riders younger sister, 14-year-old Maisie, and two friends during the off-road hack when they encountered a man whose chocolate-coloured spaniel was off the lead.According to Rosita, the group asked the man if he could put his dog on a lead and he replied: f*** off, its public land Ill do what I want.She said the dog then proceeded to run around the ponys legs. It was horrific. Ive never seen anything as bad as this before, his four legs were completely shattered and he kept trying to get up, said Rosita, whose family had owned Loki, a Welsh section D, since he was a yearling.He had never bolted before; we never worried about him on the road. He was pretty laid back for a Welsh pony and very safe. He had been ridden there many times.Police statementA police statement sent to Your Horse said:Police were called to Leeds Road, Lofthouse at 4.31pm on Saturday to a report a horse and car had been in collision.Officers attended and established the horse had thrown a female rider before bolting into the road where the collision took place.The female rider was assessed by paramedics at the scene and did not require hospital treatment.Sadly, the horse suffered very serious injuries in the collision, and was euthanised at the roadside to stop its suffering. Collection for the horse was arranged by an attending vet.A second statement received on Wednesday (29 January) afternoon said: Police have recently been contacted by witnesses offering further information about the incident.An appointment has been made to speak with them to gather further details.Loki out for a hack prior to the day of the accidentImage and video Rosita PyneRelated contentIncidences of road rage towards riders nearly doubled last year, while 58 horses were killed on UK roadsPetition set up with the aim of updating the Dangerous Dogs Act to better protect horsesNumber of incidents of dogs attacking horses is on the rise, warns safety expertHow to handle loose dogs on a hackDog walkers urged to pass horses safely, after incidents rise by 111%The post Owner pays tribute to pony who died on the road after being spooked by loose dog appeared first on Your Horse.