A HORSE threw its rider and galloped through the streets after being attacked by a dog on Teesside this morning.

The horse was bitten by a black “Staffie”-type dog in the Wallington Avenue-Marsh House Avenue area of Billingham, at about 11am.

The rider was thrown off after the attack and the horse bolted, galloping riderless through the streets for several hundred metres, the Cleveland Roads Policing Unit said.

Passers-by helped the rider, gave her a lift to find the horse and helped her bring it back under control.

They said police were called after concerns that the loose horse could cause an accident.

The horse and rider were later reunited, and although both had been bitten by the dog, neither suffered serious injuries.

A man was charged with having a dog dangerously out of control and the dog has been seized and signed over to police.

Cleveland Police said the horse rider thanked everyone who stopped to help her find the horse and calm it down.