Horrified Dianne Broadhurst, 61, kicked and punched the beast as it repeatedly bit into her pet Cindy’s neck.
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| Dianne Broadhurst s dogs, poodle Cindy and Highland Terrier Scooter were attacked by a Staffordshire bull terrier. Shown with nieces Katie, left, and Emma, who helped rescue the dogs. |
Passers-by hauled it off, only to let it go before Miss Broadhurst could reach safety outside South Marine Park.
The bull terrier charged again, launching a second frenzied attack on her defenceless dog.
Cindy suffered at least 15 puncture wounds to her neck and a tea cup-size gash to her head, and needed emergency treatment.
Today, Miss Broadhurst told of her terror as she spotted the animal sprint towards her at 9.30am on Wednesday, near the Ocean Road gate.
And she demanded laws dealing with dangerous dogs are tightened.
The ex-Thames Valley Police officer said: “It was at the top of the hill and I was at the bottom – it spotted Cindy and began running at her.
“There was nothing I could do as it sank its teeth into her neck and wouldn’t let go. I was kicking it hard, but scarily it didn’t bat an eye, it just kept attacking. I was screaming for help, but nothing I could do would stop it. It was tearing at Cindy’s throat – there was blood everywhere, it was pouring from her throat. This is going to haunt me forever. I thought she was going to die.”
“Each attack probably lasted just a minute, but it seemed like hours. It was the most traumatic thing I’ve ever seen. This dog could kill a child. They are a vile breed of dog. I want the owner caught and prosecuted.
“The police say there is little they can do under the Dangerous Dogs Act as the attack was on another dog. That needs to change.”
Cindy, 11, was initially saved when two youths grabbed the bull terrier and held it. But they let it go before Miss Broadhurst could escape out of view, leading to another attack.
Her screams alerted her nieces, Katie, 20, and Emma Henson, 17, who live nearby and freed Cindy.
Police and South Tyneside Council’s dog warden arrived and removed the attack dog, which is being kept in kennels and has not been claimed.
Her second dog, West Highland terrier Scooter, six, slipped her leash and escaped with a bite to an ear.
Miss Broadhurst, who moved to South Shields after retiring in 1995, said Cindy spent eight hours at a vet’s surgery, which cost almost £300.
Staffordshire bull terriers are not banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act. Northumbria Police confirmed a dog was removed from the scene and that inquiries were continuing.
A council spokesman said: “A dog warden attended the scene at the request of police and removed the dog, which is being housed in kennels while investigations are carried out.”
In June 2009, Town Hall bosses introduced by-laws ordering owners to keep pets on leads in parks and cemeteries. They are looking to expand that ruling into town centres.
(Shields Gazette - Jan 30, 2012)
