Hilary Dobinson, of Cotton Mill Lane, decided to take her 18-month-old dog Hollie for a walk in Verulam Park after dropping her two daughters at school on Tuesday, December 4.
During her journey around the park she saw two other dogs and noticed they did not appear to be with an owner.
She became wary of the dogs’ angry behaviour so changed her course and began walking in another direction. She said: “[The dogs] were just watching my puppy. It put me on my guard so I walked away from them.”
However before she managed to get away both of the dogs attacked her young dog. One of the dogs, a Rottweiler, was wearing a muzzle but still managed to knock Hollie over and pin her down to the ground. Ms Dobinson was able to pull the Rottweiler off but then the other dog jumped on Hollie and bit her back.
She said: “Hollie was just screaming. I was extremely stressed. I thought I was going to lose my dog. I tried to push and kick the dog away but it was so quick. I could see the blood but I didn’t know at the time how bad it was. I just wanted to get away from the situation. I was shaking and in tears by that point.”
Ms Dobinson claims that the owner of the dogs was not supervising them, and that she did not appear until after the attack had begun.
She said: “The owner was apologetic but it was too little too late. She should have had more control. I’m just so angry that people still let dogs they know are dangerous lose. Owners need to be more responsible. I think people should be aware that these sorts of things still happen. It could have been a small child.”
Following the attack Hollie had to have internal and external stitches and she is still on medication.
Mr Dobinson said: “She is bouncing back. She is a very sweet little dog. I’m the one who is going to be nervous going around that park again. I can’t sleep at night. I keep reliving it over and over. Although she survived it could have gone the other way.”
(St Albans & Harpenden Review - Dec 7, 2012)
