Woman's plea after dog is attacked
The owner of this poor pooch is calling for owners to be forced to keep their dogs under control after he was attacked while out walking.
Stephanie Knight, 22, of Glebe End Street, Springfield, was walking her Staffordshire Bull Terrier Benji in Scholes, when he was savagely attacked by two other Staffordshires.
The dogs jumped on top of Benji and bit his face, gripping his eye and nose.
Even though the dogs were on leads, the male owner was unable to control them.
Stephanie said: "Both dogs were on top of mine. One was on his face and eye and one was at the front – the dog's tooth was in my dog's nose.
"The owner was trying to prise its jaw open. We were there about 15 minutes trying to get the jaw unlocked.
"My dog was crying and squealing because he was in so much pain.
"After the dogs let go the man just walked off. My dog was bleeding.
"I have a two-year-old daughter, Izabelle – she was in her pram, which is lucky. I can't even imagine what would have happened if she hadn't been in her pram. The dogs were vicious."
Benji has been allowed to come home from the vets, but has a deep cut on his eyelid, a cut under his jaw, a swollen mouth and a hole in his nose.
According to nearby residents, the dogs have attacked other dogs before.
Victoria O'Donnell, 22, of Rivington Lane, Aspull, said her two-year-old Jack Russell, named Jack, was attacked by the same dogs a month ago.
She said: "I saw two dogs on Jack. They gripped his neck like a rag doll. He was shaking and had holes in his neck, and his ribs were bruised."
Stephanie is now warning other dog owners to be aware of the two Staffordshire Bull Terriers.
She said: "I want to get this sorted. If a dog is dangerous, it should be muzzled.
"They have done really bad damage and nearly killed another dog. They should either put the dogs down or the owner should get them muzzled.
"Staffs like those give others a bad name – mine is so soft and good with children and other dogs."
The RSPCA said the Dangerous Dogs Act only refers to when a person is attacked by a dog, rather than a dog on dog attack.
The RSPCA said if an owner of a dog is aware of it being aggressive and attacking other animals they could be deemed guilty of an offence under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 for failing to control their dog properly.
An RSPCA spokesman said: "Owners have a duty to keep their dogs under control at all times and to train them in a way that discourages aggression towards people and other animals. Neutering dogs can also help reduce acts of aggression."
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Weather for Wigan
Thursday 02 September 2010
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 8 C to 22 C
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Wind direction: East
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Sunny spells
Temperature: 9 C to 20 C
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