Arthur’s fourlegged friend is still traumatised
The traumatised terrier who witnessed the murder of Arthur Green has been prescribed DIAZEPAM.
Jack Russell Tess suffered seizures on the anniversary of her owner’s killing and a year after he was finally laid to rest, according to family members, was given the anxiety drug by a concerned vet.
The 15- year- old dog was present when grandad- ofone Arthur, 60, was battered to death in his home.
And when the pensioner’s body was discovered the next day at his Prestwick bungalow, Tess was trying to lick the blood from his face.
Tess was taken in by Arthur ’ s sister Gina Sweeney, 65, who said she couldn’t leave the dog alone for a minute without howling for company.
She said: “That wee dog knows what’s going on – call me stupid if you want.
“It was a year after Arthur was killed she took a turn, a fit.
“After that she was great again, running about like a two- year- old.
“But help my Christ, it was a year after he was buried and she started again – I had to take her to the vet.
“They said, ‘ We’ll put her on the diazepam and gradually cut her down’.
“That wee dog was lying next to Arthur trying to lick the blood from his face, she must have been there all night. It wouldn’t surprise me if she tried to help.”
Grieving Gina, from Ayr, claims Tess is suffering flashbacks of the awful attack she was forced to witness.
She said: “That wee dog has been traumatised, I don’t know how she’s come through it. She must have been reliving it, that wee dog must still see what happened.
“You can say I’m stupid but dogs have got more brains than they get credit for – they’re not daft. I had her with me at Arthur’s funeral and told him, ‘ I’ve got the wee one Arthur.’
“She knew – she bounced right out my arms to get to him – she knew he was in that box.”
Last week we reported that the trial for Arthur’s murder wouldn’t start until November this year – two years after Arthur was killed.
It is alleged that Arthur was kicked, punched and stamped on and repeatedly hit on the head with a rod.
Three men accused of the murder are Harry Hood, 45, from Ayr, 35- year- old Dale Russell from Girvan and his brother Ross Russell, 34, all currently on bail.
They were due to stand trial last week but legal issues saw the case adjourned until November at the High Court in Edinburgh.