Teenagers in terror as their pet dog is mauled (From Worcester News)

Teenagers in terror as their pet dog is mauled

9:00am Monday 31st August 2009

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By James Savage »

TWO teenage girls were left shaken and frightened after their Staffordshire bull terrier was attacked by a golden retriever.

The family has now called for all breeds of dogs to be kept on leads and under control when out in public.

Three-year-old Zakk was left with a bleeding face and ear and now has a nasty scar on the side of his head.

Jude Cother, of Bettle Close, Drakes Broughton, near Pershore, thinks ‘Staffies’ get too much bad press and believes other breeds of dog need to be kept under better control.

Mrs Cother’s two daughters, Vicky, aged 14, and Megan, 13, were taking Zakk for a walk down a quiet country lane in Drakes Broughton when the attack happened on Monday, August 10.

Mrs Cother, aged 40, said: “Zakk was on a very tight lead and all of a sudden an out-of-control golden retriever ran up to them and started to fight with our dog.

“This dog was shortly followed by two youths on bikes who were the owners.

“Zakk was left with his face and ear bleeding and now has a scar behind his ear. He didn’t need vet treatment but has got a nasty scar.

“The two youths, who looked about 18, just cycled off without even saying sorry. “It was all very traumatic for my daughters and they were very shaken and frightened after the attack.

“You don’t expect this sort of thing to happen when walking down a quiet country lane. This is the third time our dog has been attacked in the past two years by a greyhound, an alsatian and now a golden retriever – all off their leads and out of control.

“All dogs must be kept on leads no matter what breed they are. I am appalled at the poor press Staffies get and I think they should have more respect.”

Last month, we reported in your Worcester News how Wendy Caversham, of Westfield Close, Fernhill Heath, was walking her two chihuahuas across Perdiswell Golf Course, Worcester, when an alsatian picked one of them up in its mouth then “mauled it like a rag doll.”

Ron Styles, dog warden for Worcester City Council, said a dog does not have to be kept on a lead when being walked if it can be controlled. “It is the owner’s responsibility to make sure it is under control,” he said.

“They can be liable for any vet bill or claim if the dog attacks. If the dog cannot be controlled keep it on a lead with a muzzle.”

A police spokesman said the maximum penalty for allowing a dog you own, or are in charge of, to be dangerously out of control is two years’ imprisonment, a substantial fine – or both.

Mrs Cother did not report the attack on her dog to the police.

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