UNITED KINGDOM -- A couple are facing prosecution under dangerous-dog laws after a pair of “pit bull-type dogs” fatally mauled a family pet.
Ted, an 11-year-old English springer spaniel, was attacked and killed by Pit Bulls while being walked by his teenage owner, Lucinda McGrath, in Lund Park, Keighley.
The 16-year-old needed hospital treatment after being bitten on her hand.
A West Yorkshire Police spokesman yesterday confirmed that both dogs had been seized from their owners by police following an emotional appeal by 47-year-old James McGrath, Lucinda’s dad.
The spokesman said: “Officers visited the owners of the dogs involved in the attack and interviewed them under caution. They were reported for summons in connection with dangerous-dog offences.”
One of the dogs was removed from their house on Tuesday night and the second yesterday morning at about 9am. Both are understood to have been taken to kennels while police carry out further investigations.
The McGrath family were left heartbroken after they rushed Ted to an emergency vet in Bradford in a vain attempt to save his life following the attack on Sunday.
Mr McGrath, a driving instructor, of Mannville Crescent, Keighley, said: “I am glad the dogs have now been removed but I am thoroughly disgusted it has taken this long.
“Any prosecution will never bring back Ted – he was an amazing pet – but I am just expecting that the police investigate this fully and the Crown Prosecution Service make sure that justice is done.”
Meanwhile a kind-hearted Telegraph & Argus reader has contacted the family offering to replace an iPod belonging to Lucinda, which fell out of her pocket as she came to the aid of her dying pet.
Mr McGrath believes it was picked up by a member of a gang of youths who were in the park at the time of the attack.
Now John Khan, a former DJ of Pullen Avenue, Eccleshill, Bradford, has come forward to help. Mr McGrath said: “It is a really kind gesture.”
(Bradford Telegraph and Argus - August 2, 2012)
