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OWNER’S call for action on dangerous dogs after pet Labrador savaged. Nick Westwell was walking two-yearold Bella along the canal when another dog set upon her (website and Observer, July 21)
Lesley Wharton: Heartbreaking, beautiful dog and the hurt and trauma both have experienced. These people are brain dead! I was on Higham’s a few days ago when an inexperienced owner, her mother and a child in a pram were walking with one. Thankfully she put it on a lead but near a tree it locked its jaws on a chunky branch and was dangling for a what seemed an age swinging round and wouldn’t let go. Clearly the owner was frightened and anxious. I thought of its jaws round my dog and worse still the baby in the pram?!?! Why? Why? Why would you get one? There should be consequences and maybe people will think twice. They scare the life out of me and I would be devastated if this happened to my dog. Tracy Holden: When my dog was a puppy I was also walking on the canal and this group of lads passed me with a snarling pit bull/staff type dog which was pulling at the leash. After we passed mine on the lead of course around couple minutes later their dog got free from its owner, and came charging back at us (me and my husband). Me being protective towards my puppy had no choice but to lift him up but the dog lunged at me knocking my dog clean out of my hands. Next thing it had mine by the neck and was ragging it. I went into superwoman mode and managed to kick and rip the dog off mine. Until the lads caught us up and eventually grabbed their dog. All I got was abuse, no sorry. These lads followed us till we got off the canal at Clayton swearing and threatening us. But thank god a police car was passing us so I walked in the road to flag em down. The lads turned round and left us. I was then frightened that if I was ever out on my own I could be followed or abused again so I decided I would only go out in the car in future, so I started going to the Coppice or Whalley, Edisford Bridge etc for a few months. But if I hadn’t kicked and punched the other dog it could have been so different a story. Don’t get me wrong I didn’t and wouldn’t ever have kicked any dog and did have some very upsetting images that I had hurt the dog but it was instinct really. The problem is without witnesses they could have said mine attacked theirs first so nothing would be done even if their dog caused mine injuries. Gayle Rogan: Similar situation happened with our choccy lab a few years ago, got turned on by the owner who was squaring up to my husband – me defending my hubby and dog put myself in his path but if it hadn’t been for two onlookers he would have punched me! Haven’t seen them out with their dog ever since – either never gets walked or they’ve got rid. Too many people out there with dogs that shouldn’t have them! Darren Woodhead: Another instance of normal people trying to get on with their life, affected by the type of individuals who are not concerned about anybody else, even though they have had a tough life, there is no consequence to their anti-social behaviour. Pleased your dog has pulled through Nick worry about the next one though.... Jacqueline Hargreaves: Absolutely disgusting, poor thing and awful for the owner to witness. I should think the other dog owner should pay for the vet bills at the very least but once that’s happened it will do it again. Should be more stringent laws re this, hope for a speedy recovery. Vicki Norman: No description of the other dog? There have been a few similar attacks round there. Autumn Barlow: We need to see a photo of the other dog and owner - so everyone can avoid them. Jane McGlynn: So sad to hear this Nick, hope Bella’s on the mend. [Owner] needs prosecuting not talking to! Angela Sillitoe: Same thing happened to mine in Clayton but I tracked the owner down and they paid the vets bill. Also a visit from dog warden. My dog hasn’t a bad bone in her body she has never been the same since, glad yours has pulled through, Nick, she’s beautiful x Pamela Yates: I hope the other dog owner is paying the vet bills? Gail Dickinson: Poor Bella hope she is okay. Mark Croasdale: Same happened to a couple up the top of Sandy Lane.