Wigan girl, 7, 'traumatised' after pet dog savaged to death by Staffie-cross

A Wigan mum says her seven-year-old daughter has been left “traumatised” after witnessing her beloved pet dog get savaged to death by a Staffordshire cross.

Natalie Prescott, 32, said her daughter Scarlett was playing outside with chihuahua Lenny, seven, when the Staffie dog attacked him.

Mother-of-five Natalie, from Worsley Mesnes, said Scarlett had been left needing counselling and crying herself to sleep following the horrific Sunday afternoon ordeal on Cornwallis Road (May 2).

Describing the drama, Ms Prescott of nearby Horne Grove, said: “We were all out at the back of the house getting ready to go on a walk and I put one of my sons in his pram.

“Scarlett was nearby playing in the ginnel with Lenny and then I heard a yell and a scream.

“I ran to see what had happened and saw Lenny being attacked by a Staffordshire cross.”

She then described seeing the owner, who had his dog on a lead, “trying to kick Lenny” out of his pet’s mouth.

After he managed to do this, Ms Prescott said the owner “casually” walked back into his house without seeing how Lenny was or saying sorry.

Before attacking Lenny, she said the dog had been fighting with another dog and then got hold of Lenny.

She said: “The dog was on a lead but it was still able to savage Lenny.

“I then saw Lenny collapse and he was pouring with blood.

“He had punctured his heart and there were bite wounds everywhere, my jacket was full of blood.

“He died in my arms.”

Angry Ms Prescott, who also has a 10-year-old chihuaha called Rico, went onto call for the dog to be put down and action taken against the owner.

She added: “I’m really upset that the owner just walked casually back in after what happened and didn’t see how Lenny was or apologise to us, so action needs to be taken.

“Scarlett has been left traumatised. She was hysterical after what happened and has been crying ever since. I think she will need counselling.”

The family will now have the devastating task of collecting Lenny’s ashes after he was cremated on Monday.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) confirmed they were called to a report of two dogs fighting on on Cornwallis Road.

They are linking this incident to a later one involving a man carrying a knife outside a property on Horne Grove.

Officers attended and enquiries found the man with the knife was acting aggressively.

A 24-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of affray. He has since been bailed.

A GMP spokesman said: “At around 3pm on Sunday police were called with a report of a man carrying a knife outside a property on Horne Grove, Wigan.

“Officers attended and initial enquiries established that the man with the knife was acting aggressively following an incident earlier in the day, relating to two dogs fighting on Cornwallis Road, in which one of the dogs sadly died.

“A 24-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of affray and has since been bailed.

“Enquiries continue. No injuries were reported.”

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