Grandmother Debbie Bower watched in horror as the dogs attacked her beloved Dozer in a 25-minute assault in an orchard owned by Jacob Rees-Mogg.
Dozer was mauled to within an inch of his life and only survived thanks to a life-saving three-and-a-half hour operation.
Ms Bower, 46, is now calling for a change in the law to make ‘dog on dog’ attacks illegal and enable dog owners to be punished if their pets attack other animals.
Mr Rees-Mogg is backing her case and has pledged to raise the issue in Parliament if she raises 1,000 signatures on a petition outlining her proposals.
The attack took place on March 18 at the constituency home of Mr Rees-Mogg, the Conservative MP for North East Somerset, in West Harptree, Somerset.
Dozer, a six-year-old labrador, was playing in the garden with Ms Bower’s grandchildren.
Ten angry dogs, made up of Staffordshire bull terriers, Jack Russells and whippets, leapt over a fence into the orchard from a public footpath which runs alongside his land.
The animals, which weren’t on leads, charged towards Ms Bower’s grandson before attacking the labrador.
He was left with horrific injuries with Ms Bower sure her beloved pet had been killed.
She said: “His leg was bitten down to the bone, he had bites all over his head – he is lucky to be alive, I thought he was dead.
“His instincts kicked in and he played dead, I think that is the only thing that saved him.
“He had to undergo a three-and-a-half hour operation under anaesthetic.
“The dogs should have been kept on a lead. One of the dogs ran at my grandson first before going at Dozer – my grandchildren were hysterical and terrified.
“The owner was trying to get the dogs off but he shouldn’t be out with ten at a time and he should have them on a lead.
“It isn’t illegal for a dog to attack another but it should be and owners should be held accountable.”
Avon and Somerset Police are investigating Ms Bower’s complaint, but no charges have been brought against the owner of the dogs.
Mr Rees-Mogg, who was elected MP for North East Somerset in 2010, has spoken of his shock at the incident and offered his support to his housekeeper.
He said: “The event happened in my garden and I was shocked and very concerned about it. My children play in that garden.
“The owner of the dogs has expressed his concern at the event and he has recognised his responsibility.
“He says he will now walk his animals on a lead
“The Dangerous Dogs Act deals with dogs who are a risk to people but I think owners have a duty of care towards other dogs too.
“If Deborah gets a petition signed I will present it in Parliament.”
(This is Somerset - April 4, 2012)
