Friday, January 18, 2013

Death sentence for pit bulls that mauled Greyhound to death

UNITED KINGDOM -- AN ultimatum has been given to the owner of two Staffordshire bull terriers that mauled a greyhound.

Police have given the Tuffley resident until Sunday to decide whether to have the dogs put down. If he does not agree they will seek a court order saying the animals should be destroyed.

His Staffies attacked two other dogs owned by Andrea Wild on December 30.



The heartbroken 47-year-old had to put her beloved pet Billy down as he was fatally injured in the attack.

Her terrier Maggie was also shaken by her neck by the pair.

Last week police said they still had not spoken to the owner but wanted the Staffies put down to protect other members of the public.

The Staffies had escaped under the fence of a house in Tuffley Avenue.

They bit Andrea's hand as she tried to save her pets and the chef had to take three days off work because of her injuries.

She said: "I have been having nightmares. The whole experience has been so traumatic, it wasn't just a one off event, it has gone on and taken over everything."

She added: "I would rather the dogs just be seized by police to be honest, and then get it over with.

"I don't like to say it, because I am an animal lover, but I think the dogs should be destroyed rather than re-homed.

"I would like to use my experience to help other people."

A police spokesman said: "We have given him until Sunday to make a decision about having the dogs put down and if he doesn't agree to it we will seek it as part of the prosecution."

A ban on someone owning dogs can only be put in place by a court.

An RSPCA spokeswoman said any incident where dogs are out of control is "extremely worrying" but Staffies can make great pets when properly cared for.

(thisisgloucestershire.co.uk - Jan 18, 2013)