Paddy, a lurcher, and Rosie were enjoying a leisurely walk at Howley Hall Golf Club in Scotchman Lane when they were set upon by the dog, which owner Jane Dyer said she hadn’t come across at the popular walking spot before.
Now she is warning other dog owners and walkers to be on their guard.
She said the attack came out of nowhere, and had left Paddy shaking at the sight of other strange dogs.
Jane was walking back to her car with the dogs when she noticed a couple she hadn’t seen before. They had the bull terrier as well as a pit bull-type dog and an Alsatian.
She said the pit bull tried to bite Rosie’s back.
“It ran at her and was trying to bite her on the back,” she said.
“She was yelping and ran off.”
Jane said the dog’s owner said it wasn’t normally like that, and at the same time the bull terrier, which was on a lead, lunged for Paddy. She said: “It just attached itself to Paddy’s neck. There was no growling or barking, it just attacked.
“Paddy has a long neck and was able to get hold of this dog himself in his defence, forcing it to let go. He ran off, chased by the pit bull and the Alsatian.
“It all happened so quickly.”
Jane said it was possible the other dog was injured as Paddy tried to defend himself.
When Jane caught up with Paddy she saw a long, deep wound on his neck.
“If it had been any further round he would have been killed,” she said.
Paddy was treated for shock and had his wound stitched up – treatment worth more than £500.
Although his injuries have healed after the incident on April 20, Jane said Paddy was a lot more subdued and spend a week feeling sorry for himself.
The attack comes as the government is attempting to pass a law that all dogs are microchipped as puppies so it’s easier to trace owners of vicious dogs.
(Morley Observer - May 8, 2012)
