Sharon Fisher was walking 11-year-old Lucy near Henley Road, close to her Thornbridge Avenue home, at around 10.30am last Wednesday when the large Japanese Akita dog attacked her pet out of the blue.
Her daughter Joanne, a midwife at Great Western Hospital, said both her mum and Lucy were shocked. The dog needed multiple stitches on a large laceration to her body.
The 25-year-old said: “My mum was just walking Lucy along the road and saw the Akita and her owner out of the corner of her eye over the other side of the road.
“Lucy was sniffing around a car when mum said the dog came out of nowhere and got her in his jaws and was shaking her about.
“My mum does not know how long it went on for but it felt like ages, as she tried to get the Akita to open its jaws and let Lucy go. The other woman just stood there.
“Finally Lucy managed to get free and she ran home so my mum followed her. There was a man in a red car who also followed her home and asked if she was alright.
“The vets said it was a serious injury and they were going to X-ray her in case it had punctured her lung, but when they looked properly it hadn’t happened.
“This was a savage, horrible attack and poor Lucy was not herself afterwards. She was a rescue dog when she was three and my parents got her as I wanted a dog so she’s a big part of the family.
“Usually my mum has my 10-month-old daughter in the mornings when she’s on a late shift but for some reason I did not drop her off that day. I dread to think what would have happened if she had been with her.
“I’ve also heard since that the Akita might have done this kind of thing before.”
Alison Waine, dog control officer for Swindon Council, said the incident was being investigated and potential court action could be taken which could result in a control or destruction order.
She said: “A complaint has been reported. We are investigating. We will take appropriate action.
“The Akita owner has been invited to speak to us, which she has agreed to.
“What I would say is Akitas, like any large powerful dogs, can be very strong and hard to train.
“All owners need to make sure they take appropriate action to ensure they are under control in public.”
(This Is Wiltshire - July 19, 2013)
