United Kingdom: Maltese puppy snatched from owner's yard by two other dogs and mauled to death. Owner could hear the puppy screaming while being ripped to pieces.

UNITED KINGDOM -- A HORRIFIED couple have spoken of the moment two dogs dragged their “squealing” nine-month-old puppy into a compound and mauled him to death.

Murray’s owners have vowed to take civil action against the dogs’ owners and called for tougher punishments.

Jim and Linda Masterton said their “gorgeous” Maltese puppy – named after tennis player Andy Murray – was dragged from their garden through a hedge by Akita and bulldog type pets on Monday morning.

Linda said her granddaughters, aged six and three, had been playing on the patch of lawn Murray was dragged from the day before.

She said: “It is terrifying to think if they had come through yesterday.

“All I heard was the dog squealing and being dragged through the hedge.

“Murray was gorgeous. He can never be replaced. He had a lovely life. He was our little dog and it was only nine-months-old today.”

Husband Jim added: “I am not prepared to put up with this. I have complained to Community Pride about the dogs in the past because I think they make too much noise.

“They are in a caged compound.”

The couple from north east Lincolnshire said their neighbours are reinforcing fences in case the dogs escape their compound again.

The couple claimed the dogs came through a hole in the rear fence and dragged the tiny puppy into their compound.

A neighbour added: “It is dreadful. I don’t want these dogs coming through here.

“I am nervous of dogs at the best of times. I would be fearful if my relative’s spaniel came to visit.”

Following the alleged attack neighbours went and showed the owner of the dogs Murray’s body.

A Humberside Police spokeswoman said: “Police have been made aware of an incident of two dogs attacking another in the Meadowbank area of Great Coates in Grimsby.

“The incident, which was reported to have resulted in the death of one dog, was called in to police just after 10am.

“Appropriate advice was offered to the caller and the matter is now being assessed by the force’s dog officer.”

Leading canine expert Debbie Connolly said the Dangerous Dogs Act does not cover dog-on-dog attacks.

She said:  “Police generally don’t act on such cases because it is a civil matter.

“A dog warden can take action and issue a community protection order which could mean a dog is neutered or order for fences to be properly built.

“People get frustrated because the Act does not include dog-on-dog cover. But there is the clause about reasonable apprehension of a bite to a person.

“If there is an attack on your dog and you are stood next to the dogs and trying to separate them, there is a reasonable apprehension you could be bitten.”

For this reason Debbie advised always reporting such incidents to dog wardens and said compensation can be gained through civil action.

Police have advised the public to report dog bites and dangerous dogs by calling 101 or 999 in an emergency.

The owner of the dogs has been approached for comment.

(The Sun - ‎Sept 13, 2016‎)