Nurse Julie Palmer from Newtownards , Co Down, returned home with her family after a weekend away to the news their dog Eddie was dead.
The little terrier had been attacked on a walk with the Palmer’s trusted dog minder who has been left traumatized by the terrifying incident.
Julie, 47, said: “Our poor wee dog Eddie was so badly mauled that there was nothing the vet could do for him. His tummy had been ripped apart and his soft tissue and internal injuries were just too severe for him to survive. The kindest thing to do was put him out of pain.
“Our dog minder, who we love and trust with our pets, witnessed what happened and stepped in to try to save Eddie. She managed to very bravely pull one of the dogs off Eddie and rushed him straight to Jubilee Vets. She is so traumatized, I don’t know if she’ll even get back to work.
“The attack took place on Monday and when we got back that evening we went down to her house to get our dogs as usual, Eddie our little terrier cross who was just three, and Cooper our Labradoodle, who is five.
“But she was in tears when she met us at the door and explained what had happened. She knew we’d be devastated and didn’t want to call us and have us drive home upset.
“It was such a dangerous situation that she found herself in. She was walking her dog and ours at Cromellin Park in Donaghadee, known as the Dam Field which is very popular with dog walkers, kids and families.
“We are devastated by the loss of our little dog and I fear it will happen to another dog but I’m also worried that these dogs are so out of control that they could be attracted to little kids playing in the area, and attack them.
“These dogs were still running loose when our dog minder left the scene to try to save Eddie and so far their owner has not been identified.
“I just really want to know who the owner is so I can let them know what happened to our pet. They need to keep their dogs under control and ensure this doesn’t happen again - or worse, that a child is seriously injured or killed.
“We all know how dogs can react to screaming children who are running about. It really doesn’t bear thinking about.”
The incident was reported to the PSNI in Newtownards and the local council’s Community Neighbourhood Environment Team will be investigating.
Julie said: “To some people, Eddie was just a dog but he was a member of our family and a brilliant little fella who never looked for trouble and only enjoyed life until it was ended in the most awful and violent way.
“Our daughter Alex was due to go back to University but she was so upset we cancelled her flight to give her a little more time at home to settle down.
“I’d ask anyone who can help to identify these dangerous large, black dogs in Donaghadee on Monday to pass the information on so people and pets can be made safe.”
(Belfast Live - Sept 14, 2016)
