American Bully that savaged police horse is ‘friendly’ and was ‘intimidated’, owner claims

The owner of a very aggressive dog that went toe-to-toe with a police horse, leaving it with a multitude of injuries, has argued his pet is “friendly” and only responded in an out-of-control manner because it was “intimidated” by the larger animal. PH Urbane suffered several open wounds over his legs and torso after footage emerged of him being bitten Coco, an American Bully.

Owner Hakan Niyazi, in his twenties, insisted his beloved Coco was intimidated, telling The Sun: “She’s so friendly. With any human she’s so good. I don’t know why it happened.”

He also took aim at the bypasser that had to intervene with a long stick, dubbing his “rude”.

He added: “I was so angry at the time. He said I didn’t do nothing. I tried.

“I reciprocate energy. If you’re rude to me I will be rude back to you. He was angry. He was swearing, being rude. I was trying my hardest.”

A spokesperson for The Met said: “PH Urbane from Bow was attacked by a dog off the lead in Victoria Park yesterday.

“We can’t stress enough how important it is to keep dogs on a lead if you can’t recall them or get them under control.

“Huge thanks to members of public who tried to help Urbane. He has been to the vets and is having some well-earned recuperation. He will hopefully be back on duty as soon as he has fully recovered but not before.”

Urbane has had quite an ordeal of late. His attack comes only months after his police partner PH Sandown collapsed at Notting Hill Carnival in west London.

Sandown, a 14-year-old chestnut gelding that was 16 hands high, died following the incident, leaving Urbane without his crime-fighting partner.

One of the Met’s most experienced horses, Sandown served for seven years.

PH Urbane had a luckier escape, and is now recuperating and getting back to full fitness.