UNITED KINGDOM -- A DOG owner has described how her beloved pet is lucky to be alive after being subjected to a "horrific" attack by another canine.
An unleashed French mastiff sunk its teeth into the neck of 18-month-old West Highland White terrier 'Belle' as she walked with owners Fiona and Stuart Anderson near West Barns last Monday.
The Westie was left covered in blood following the attack, which happened on a path near East Links Family Park at about 4.45pm.
The Andersons have hit out at the dog's owner, and the incident is being investigated by local authority officials.
Mrs Anderson, 44, told the Courier: "We were walking Belle and she wasn't on the lead, she was behind us. We saw a chap talking to another lady and they had dogs - there was a little boy as well, he must have been about three.
"The little boy was coming towards us and all of a sudden two dogs came running towards us. The mastiff knocked against my husband and he moved back - and then we realised that both were going for Belle.
"The big dog just got a hold of her and grabbed her. We thought she had broken her neck to be honest - it was horrible.
"I was screaming and my husband managed to pick the mastiff up and pull it off our dog, and our dog bolted away off towards West Barns.
"She was covered in blood and had a puncture wound on her neck from the teeth that had gone through.
"She was lucky to live. I would honestly say it was horrific."
The pooch was taken to Links Veterinary Clinic in Haddington for treatment and remained there overnight, before being put on a course of antibiotics.
But Mrs Anderson - who has had Belle since it was eight weeks old - said her dog had been left badly affected by the incident.
"She was in absolute shock and obviously lost a fair bit of blood," she explained.
"She is really shaken, no question. She's just so much quieter. She was a lively, friendly wee dog and she's going to get her confidence back I'm sure, but she's just so tired, and shaky when dogs come near her."
Though the couple did not know the dog's owner, they believe he lives in Dunbar. He had another dog - an Atika - with him at the time of the attack which was also not on a lead.
It is understood the owner may have only had the mastiff a matter of weeks.
One website - Dog Breed Info Centre - says French mastiffs are "gentle with children and family members" but adds: "However this is a powerful animal, and is not suitable for an inexperienced dog owner."
Mrs Anderson added: "I would say the dog was just below my husband's hip [in height]. It's a good height, and it's a big, strong dog.
"Belle was just a wee scrap to him. It looks aggressive and when it was charging towards us I thought, 'Crikey, you look scary!' and we both realised at the same time it was going for Belle. She just didn't stand a chance.
"That dog should've been on a lead for a start. The other one wasn't on a lead either. I feel if it had a muzzle on and it was on a lead, this wouldn't have happened."
Mrs Anderson said they had briefly spoken to the dog's owner before running after Belle, but that he had made "no effort" to help or apologise to them.
She said: "He was walking in the same direction as us but we were just too upset."
East Lothian Council, which has responsibility for dangerous dogs, is investigating the incident.
A spokeswoman said: "The council is aware of this particular attack. We are investigating the incident and will be making a full report back to both dog owners in the near future."
Among the options available is a control order, which could include requirements that the dog is kept on a lead and muzzled when in public areas, and restrictions on who takes it out for walks.
Owners placed under orders are observed and monitored to ensure they are adhering to the rules, but if they fail to comply or further incidents occur, the dog can eventually be taken off them.
(East Lothian Courier - Feb 16, 2012)
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