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| Max Carpenter's little jack russell Rosie was attacked by a pit bull when he was taking her for a walk. |
Max Carpenter had been at Pit Park in Palmerston North with 2 1/2-year-old jack russell Rosie when she was attacked on the walk home last weekend.
As Mr Carpenter crossed through the hospital grounds about 2.30pm on July 10, a large pit bull appeared, dragging a metre of heavy chain, and sank its teeth into Rosie's stomach.
There was no time to pick Rosie up, Mr Carpenter said, and the little dog fell to her back when the pit bull neared.
"It came like a snake or a crocodile – it was just so fast and so powerful," he said. "It wouldn't let go and my dog was screaming."
The pit bull clamped its jaws down on Rosie's stomach, which now sports a large puncture wound.
Mr Carpenter kicked the pit bull unsuccessfully to try to get it to release Rosie. "My kicks were pretty solid but they weren't having any effect on this dog," he said.
While the attack "seemed to last forever" a man eventually appeared and prised the pit bull's jaws open to release Rosie.
The man gave Mr Carpenter details, which were now believed to be false.
Rosie was taken to a veterinarian and had been back several times since as she battled infection and serious pain.
"She's had a massive infection in her stomach," Mr Carpenter said.
"The rest is crushing and bruising."
Rosie was now on antibiotics and painkillers.
He reported the attack to the police but was told it was the city council's domain, and was put in touch with dog control.
"What amazes me is that someone can walk around the streets with that animal unrestrained and unmuzzled and there's nothing the general public can do," he said.
Anyone who witnessed the attack or has information about it can contact Palmerston North City Council.
(Manawatu Standard - July 18, 2011)
