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Keith’s appeal to dog owner

Keith Dootson and his dog Rufus

Keith Dootson and his dog Rufus

A WIGAN man is appealing to the owner of a Staffordshire Bull Terrier that savaged his pet dog to get the animal under control before it hurts a child.

Keith Dootson’s Jack Russell cross, Rufus, was attacked while on his way home from a walk with his owner last Monday evening leaving him with extensive injuries all over his back and neck.

Since the attack the seven-year-old pet has been in and out of the vets leaving the 70-year-old with an £800 bill.

Mr Dootson, of Scot Lane, Aspull, said: “We were yards from home when the dog came running across the road.

“I didn’t think anything of it at first because Staffies are usually lovely dogs and I just thought it was being friendly.

“I always carry biscuits with me so I put my hand in my pocket to get it one, but it just dove on Rufus.”

When they heard the commotion a number of Mr Dootson’s neighbours came out to help, but they could not get the dog off Rufus.

Workmen also rushed over with planks of wood and hit the dog, which was on its own, but were unable to free the tiny pet for about five minutes.

Mr Dootson says that another dog which lives on a road off Scot Lane was attacked by the same animal that day.

He said: “This has left us really shaken and neighbours have said they’re scared to take their pets or let their children play out until the dog’s caught.

“I am not asking for the dog to be put down, I just want the owner to get it under control because next time it could be a child that’s hurt and the outcome would be much worse.

“I have been a dog owner all of my life and I have never known such a vicious attack.

“I just want this to stop before it happens again,”


Comments

There are 13 comments to this article

Page 1 of 1


13

phillykenny

Saturday, February 25, 2012 at 07:53 AM

thats if you haven't got a penknife handy.which would probably do a better job



12

phillykenny

Saturday, February 25, 2012 at 07:51 AM

i agree with jakthelad they should of smashed its skull in,for future reference if anyone is interested,a car key straight up the animals ar#ehole with force will make a pitbull type dog lose its grip



11

Removed by moderator

Saturday, February 25, 2012 at 04:19 AM

Rufus and Keith, as a dog friendly person, hope Rufus is ok, £800.00 Vet Bill for a Pensioner, who's Pet is the innocent party, WRONG.........YET AGAIN, THE MINORITY, OF DOG OWNERS, GET OFF SCOT FREE -The Majority of Dog owners, take insurance out, have their dog chipped and vacinated and clean up after their dog.



10

Removed by moderator

Saturday, February 25, 2012 at 04:09 AM

2 Wandering Wiganer ...Ditto, No such thing as a BAD Dog....just idle, lazy, selfish, cretins\imbiciles who profess to be dog owners.......if they treat their Dogs in such a way, God knows how their Children are brought up ?



9

Removed by moderator

Saturday, February 25, 2012 at 04:03 AM

Last night, my Son, ( 16 ) took our Labrador ( male, aged 9 ) for his walk. A LARGE AND POWERFUL dog, A Akita not considered a breed for a first time dog owner, WAS OFF THE LEAD,, the Akita attacked my Labrador, ( 5 stones ), this dog is average ( 9 stones ).The person on the end, of the lead, tried to restrain the Akita dog, it bit him, He squaked, " Its bit me, I have to go to the Hospital ", what chance has my docile non agresive Lab,or a small dog, or small child got ? Point being - it is not the dog, but the Di-ck-Head who use these dogs as " being a big man accessary *..........



8

bubblesbombom

Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 12:42 PM

Jack the lad you sicko.



7

Jakthelad

Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 10:34 AM

Obviously, the workmen didnt hit the dog hard enough. It should have only took one very hard blow to the head.



6

bubblesbombom

Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 08:47 AM

rufus the innocent party? ,errrrrmmmm not!!!



5

bubblesbombom

Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 08:46 AM

Orrell man you talk s**t



4

bubblesbombom

Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 08:45 AM

Pending Moderation



3

LoobyLou2

Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 02:24 AM

It makes my blood boil, when I read stories like this. Who ever owns this dog, needs putting down! I wish little Rufus a quick recovery.



2

Wandering Wiganer

Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 05:26 PM

“I am not asking for the dog to be put down, I just want the owner to get it under control . . . " Actually, I would ask for the owners to be put down. Where did the attacking dog go afterwards? It's a lot to ask, but maybe one of the witnesses should have followed it. Eventually it would have wandered home. Unfortunately, the reputation of Staffs is falling badly because of the (general) type of people that are now adopting them.



1

orrellmon

Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 01:48 PM

had same thing happen to my dog, these dogs should never be off the lead,would never trust a staff around other dogs or children .if the owner is found they should be procecuted.



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