Perth's equine community is criticising the City of Joondalup for failing to provide an adequate and safe alternative following the impending closure of the Hillarys Horse Beach.
The concerns were raised after an 11-year-old Mariginiup girl was attacked by a dog - thought to be a pit bull terrier - while riding her horse on the beach on Tuesday.
![The dog can be seen swimming in the surf moments before the attack.](/web/20170116020502im_/http://www.watoday.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/r/p/w/w/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gtrpxr.png/1484448746887.jpg)
The girl's mother told the Joondalup Times her daughter was riding with her friend when the dog bit her left foot.
"He didn't just bite, he hung on like a tug-of-war rope," she said.
"He hung on to her foot for a good 20 seconds while we were all frantically screaming."
When the animal let go, the owner took the dog and left the beach.
The girl was later taken to hospital for surgery.
Jill Armstrong's daughter was riding with the girl when the attack happened, and said the incident highlighted the little regard the City of Joondalup had for equine owners in the area.
"Horses and dogs don't mix. This is the second friend of mine that has had a horse attacked at this beach," she said.
"But I do believe this story is more than the attack- it's also about the City of Joondalup not providing proper and safe facilities for equine owners."
Hillarys is one of the only beaches that currently caters to suburban horse owners north of the river.
The City of Joondalup and the City of Wanneroo have been warring in recent months about establishing horse beaches in either district.
Ms Armstrong said the City of Joondalup's attempts to hand-ball the issue to the City of Wanneroo were not good enough, and horse owners needed an alternative space to exercise their animals.
"The City of Joondalup needs to be accountable - they can't just say 'we are closing the beach, so problem solved'."
"The City of Wanneroo does not have any beaches suitable [for horse exercise], so the City of Jonndalup can't just say it's their problem."
Mayor Troy Pickard has previously called on the City of Wanneroo to investigate the possibility of a horse beach in the area.
"I call on the Wanneroo council, the so called listening council of the north, to open their ears and to listen to their community which has overwhelmingly called for the establishment of a horse beach," he said.
"Take positive action to embrace the needs of you local community."
Mr Pickard also reaffirmed the City of Joondalup's commitment to local dog-owners, and plans to expand parking options at Hillarys.
"Our focus should be on our ratepayers for Whitfords Nodes and I believe that's to ensure the permanent retention of the dog beach."
A petition calling for Hillarys Beach to remain open to horse owners has since gathered 3488 supporters.