Ambulances rush to Palacerigg after accident sparked by dog off a lead

Dawn Harrison, the owner of Tannoch Stables said that one of her staff was out on a trek with three members of the public when a dog that was off its lead spooked them at around 10.30am on Saturday, April 24.

Ms Harrison said: “They were coming towards the end of their trek in the country park when they met a lady who had her dog off its lead. She tried to get the dog back on its lead but didn’t manage so then it ran off towards the horses barking.

"The horses got spooked which caused all four riders to fall off and then the horses galloped off, three up one main road and one up another.

“A paramedic came and we managed to treat the worst of the staff members’ injuries and get her into the back of a first-aid van.

"Then we had about seven ambulances in the car park of the country park who tended to the other casualties”.

Ms Harrison said that sign posts warning dog owners to be cautious while walking in Palacerigg Country Park were recently removed and is calling for North Lanarkshire Council to reverse the decision to get the issue under control. The authority says it is looking into the matter.

She continued: “We’re just trying to say to dog owners that we should all be able to use the park safely.

"Dog owners need to start taking more responsibility again.

"This is the fourth time this has happened this year and although the others were only superficial, we feel like we’ve had our warning now.

"The incident resulting in the horses running off down the main road between Palacerigg Country Park and Cumbernauld as well is so dangerous, it could have ended horrendously.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 2.50pm on Saturday, April 24, 2021, police received a report that four horses had been spooked after seeing a dog in Palacerigg Country Park.

"Three women, who were riding the horses, were taken to hospital with minor injuries and were later discharged.

"No criminality was established and suitable advice was given.”