Moment dog 'breaks off lead' and attacks horses pulling buggies

A frightening video shows a canine reportedly escaping its restraint and charging at three horses, causing riders to be thrown from their carriages.

Vehicle camera recording displays the uncontrolled animal sprinting directly toward the horses in Oldham, Greater Manchester, on Monday.

The animal begins biting at the feet of one horse, with all equines pulling carts with drivers. The startled horses rushed into traffic lanes, while spectators desperately tried to settle them.

Horrific moment dog 'breaks off lead' and starts attacking ... (Source: www.dailymail.co.uk)

Near the end of the video, the dog pursues one horse straight toward the recording vehicle. The frightened horse stands on its hind legs before knocking its driver onto the car's front panel.

An individual, thought to be the dog's handler, runs into the road and retrieves something from the ground.

The recording became popular online after Paul Mahoney shared it on Facebook Wednesday.

Social media viewers expressed shock at the incident, with one calling it "shameful."

One person wrote: "OMG. That is terrible, it could so easily have been a whole lot worse. I hope everyone including the horses are OK. It needs reporting to the police. Someone could have been killed."

Another said: "Wow omg hope all the horses are okay, can't believe what happened."

A third viewer added: "Wow that is absolutely horrible, it actually turned my stomach to watch it, so I can't imagine how all that were involved feel. Hope everyone and the horses are alright. What happened is bad enough, but watching that it could have been a completely different outcome."