Sam Poynter was walking Snowy, a Bichon Frise, in the green space near the children’s play area in Pinehurst when a Rottweiler, which was not on a lead, ran over to them.
The dog picked Snowy up in its mouth and shook him violently, leaving him with two puncture wounds, nerve damage, a broken jaw and damage to his front leg.
Sam, 16, who is a student at New College, said: “The other dog just ran over from behind the bushes. My dog, which was on a lead, is only small. First of all I was panicking and then I was in shock. The owner was standing in front of me trying to pull off his dog. I couldn’t do anything about it.
“When it let go I picked up my dog and took her to the vets. I was panicking all the way there, when you see something like that is is quite scary. I thought he was going to die.”
Snowy received treatment from Drove vets after the incident on November 11, including stitches, medication, and wire in his jaw, which has cost the family more than £600 so far.
One of the puncture wounds was close to Snowy’s heart and it would have been fatal if it was any nearer.
“He is recovering and he has got better,” said Sam. “They had to shave some of his fur off and you could see the red blotches and puncture wound. It has had quite a big impact on me. I used to take him out every day but I don’t know if I would want to take him out again. I have been out since it happened but I haven’t walked the dog.”
The family contacted the police but it is not classed as a criminal act under the Dangerous Dogs Act.
A spokesman for Swindon Council said they are currently investigating the incident.
Sam’s mother Charlotte has launched an e-petition and written to the Government in a bid to get the Dangerous Dogs Act changed. Her petition, which is called Legislation Needs To Change For Dog On Dog Attacks, has 28 signatures so far.
“I just find it unbelievable that a powerful dog like a Rottweiler can run around near a children’s play area, attack and nearly kill another dog and nothing can be done,” she said.
“If a dog attacks another dog there are no laws to prosecute the owners, it is only a criminal offence if it bites a person.
“Legislation needs to change to protect our pets. “The owners need to be liable for any cost incurred and either restrictions put on their dog or the dog to be destroyed depending on the individual case. Any owner deemed to be irresponsible should be banned from owning dogs and their dog taken off them.”
(Swindon Advertiser - Nov 21, 2012)
