Horse stuck in Highland bog put down after being spooked by 'out of control' dogs

A horse which got stuck in a bog had to be put down after being spooked by “out of control” dogs in the Highlands.

Police say a man exited a white van with two brown spaniels about 6pm on Thursday, July 24, along the Affric Kintail Way between Shenval and Corrimony in Shenval Forest.

The dogs were not under control and charged at two horses being hacked, which caused them to spook.

The riders of the horses were not on them at the time of the incident.

However, the horses got stuck in a peat bog and couldn’t get out until the Scottish Fire and Rescue managed to free them after several hours.

One of the horses had to be euthanised due to its injuries, police said.

Officers are appealing for witnesses to trace the man with the dogs and the van he was driving.

A Police Scotland statement read: “We are appealing for witnesses following an incident where two dogs were out of control and spooked two horses recently.

“About 6pm on Thursday, July 24, 2025, along the Affric Kintail Way between Shenval and Corrimony in Shenval Forest, a man was seen to exit a white van with two brown spaniels.

“The dogs were not under proper control and charged at two horses being hacked, which caused them to spook. Thankfully, the riders weren’t on the horses at the time.

“The horses were traced nearby; however, they were stuck in a peat bog and couldn’t get out.

“Assistance was sought from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service who attended and after several hours managed to free the horses.

“Sadly, one of the horses had to be euthanised due to its injuries.

“We are appealing for witnesses who may have seen a man with the dogs as described in the area, especially if you saw the van he was driving.

“Please get in touch quoting incident reference 3960 of July 25, 2025.”