MARYLAND

Photos of dogs harassing Assateague pony sparks investigation

The Daily Times

BERLIN, Maryland — The National Park Service is investigating recent photographs of two dogs running toward a wild pony on Assateague Island in Maryland.

The initial image shared to Facebook, depicting two dogs involved in an altercation with a wild pony.

Liz Davis, public information officer of Assateague Island National Seashore, confirmed officials are investigating the incident, but did not have any further details Tuesday.

Davis also confirmed the pony featured in the photographs is Susi Sole, or N2BHS-M.

According to Assateague Island Alliance's website, Sole was born in 2014 and is often found in the developed area.

Assateague Island is a 37-mile long stretch of land along the coast of Maryland and Virginia. The area consists of three parks: the Assateague Island National Seashore, Assateague Island State Park, which borders the national park to the north near Ocean City, Maryland, and the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge in Virginia.

The three areas are renowned for its wild horses, along with its beaches and campgrounds.

The photographs, obtained by the Salisbury Daily Times and DelmarvaNow.com, were posted to an Assateague Island Facebook group Sunday, but the poster declined to go on the record about the incident. The poster has spoken with park officials.

In one photograph, a dog appears to have its head in the vicinity of the left, rear leg and tail of a pony. A second dog stands to the left of the action, looking left, out of the frame.

A series of photographs capturing an interaction between two dogs and an Assateague horse on Saturday, Oct. 28 is under investigation by National Park officials.

In another photo, the sand looks to have been kicked up in the midst of the action, with the horse's back legs in the air.

Both dogs appear to be wearing collars in the photographs.

Regulations at Assateague Island National Seashore require all pets to be on a leash no longer than 6 feet at all times.

Pets are prohibited in all backcountry campsites, nature trails, the lifeguard-protected beach, north of the state park to the Ocean City Inlet and the entire Virginia portion, even in cars. They are also prohibited in portions of the state park.

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A series of photographs captures an interaction between two dogs and an Assateague horse on Sunday, Oct. 29. The incident is under investigation by National Park officials.