Anthony Culham’s nine-year-old Scottish terrier, Darcy, had its “throat ripped”, suffered puncture wounds to its back and had internal bruising – but miraculously survived the attack two weeks ago.
Mr Culham, 62, was walking his dog on land near Stoke Park Drive, Ipswich, at about 6.30pm last Thursday when the three dogs ran towards Darcy and jumped on him.
The dogs’ owner was in the area at the time but while two of the animals were taken away quickly, the final dog caused a great deal of damage before it was eventually wrestled away.
Father-of-four Mr Culham said: “They ripped his (Darcy’s) throat and it was right next to the jugular vein.
“On his back there was a puncture wound and he has got a lot of internal bruising. The cries (of Darcy) will haunt me until I die now.”
Immediately after the attack, Mr Culham contacted councillors and the dog warden and he also called the police to inform them of the incident.
However he was told that because it was a dog-on-dog attack and no human had been injured, legally no crime had been committed.
Mr Culham believes more should be done to tighten up the law to stop dog attacks. He said: “The law needs changing.
“These dogs are of a nature where once they bite, they won’t let go and they cause so much damage.
“I think dangerous dogs should be muzzled all the time.”
Darcy is now on the road to recovery but it is estimated that his veterinary treatment will eventually cost in the region of £500.
He has been out on walks since the incident and while he is glad to be outside again, Mr Culham admitted he has been nervous when other people and dogs are in the same area as him.
(East Anglian Daily Times - June 3, 2013)
