Owner of American Bully that attacked police horse in shocking video is interviewed by cops
THE owner of the American Bully which savaged a police horse has now been interviewed by the cops.
The horror five-minute attack was caught on camera, and two frantic officers can be heard screaming for Hakan Niyazi to put his hound on a lead.
However, he appears to just stand and watch, leaving the cops to plead for any of the bystanders to “be brave” and intervene.
The horse was left with gruesome injuries, which required stitches.
Niyazi, who is in his 20s, was yesterday interviewed by police.
The cops told The Sun the dog owner was spoken to “under caution”, but not arrested.
The horror unfolded in Victoria Park in Hackney, East London, on March 22.
Several members of the public intervened, with one chap using a long stick to try to get the dog away from the horses.
The officers were shouting “get it now”, “get the dog” and “get on with it” as they desperately tried to get the hound under control.
After the attack, one officer managed to dismount the horse and shouted to get the dog on a lead immediately.
But Niyazi still only took a leisurely stroll over to the animal, who was then seized by police.
The day after the attack, he claimed his dog Coco was “friendly”, and tried to blame the horses.
Hakan told The Sun: “It might look like I wasn’t doing much but I was trying my hardest. I tried to grab her.
“She was intimidated by the horse. She felt threatened.
“I thought the horse was going to kick me. If it kicks me I’m dead. If it killed me then people would be feeling sorry for me.”
In a statement today, Met police said: “On Wednesday, 22 March a dog was seized in Victoria Park, Tower Hamlets, after it attacked a police horse.
“The horse required stitches and is expected to return to duty following its recovery.
“The dog remains in police kennels.
“The owner of the dog attended a police station on Wednesday, 5 April and was interviewed under caution; he was not arrested.
“Enquiries into the circumstances continue.”