Warning as mauled dog is put down

Fears for kids’ safety after second attack

A SAVAGE dog attack which led to a poodle being put down has sparked fears for children’s safety.

It was the second attack on a pet in the Kilwilkie estate in Lurgan, Co Armagh, in less than a week.

Benji was mauled on Saturday night and could not be saved such was the extent of the injuries.

In the early hours of Tuesday another family was left traumatised after their pet Woody was set upon by other dogs. They were woken at around 2am to the noise of the vicious attack. Fortunately, Woody is making a recovery.

Sharon Henderson, whose mum owned Benji, posted a warning on a lost pets page.

She said: “So our family pet, my mummy’s wee dog, wee Benji was mauled to death tonight by two dogs in this estate.

“This is the second dog this week. Please, please people look after your pets and to those letting their animals roam freely you should be ashamed of yourselves. Another little piece of our family gone. Heartbroken to say the least. Just keep your pets safe guys. Wee Benji was only ever outside for his evening walk. Same time every night for years.

“Not sure of the breed of dogs that did this to him but needless to say the owners need to take a good look at themselves.

“Some poor child could be next.”

Local people have reacted angrily to the attacks, with one woman

LURGAN

posting: “This is a police matter now. Poor wee dog and its owner but a child is going to be killed if they are not caught.”

A PSNI spokeswoman said: “Police received a report from a resident in Kilwilkie that a pet dog had been attacked by two other dogs in the estate.

“The animal was subsequently put down by a vet due to its injuries.”

TRAGIC Benji was put down after incident in Lurgan on Saturday