Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Pensioner’s horror as pet dog mauled
Staffies in vicious attack at play park
A PENSIONER has been left shaken after her pet Shih Tzu was mauled by two dogs at a play park.
Traumatised Marie Doherty said tiny Ozzy’s “white fur was all red” after he was set upon by the animals believed to be Staffordshire Bull Terriers.
The 63-year-old, from Derry’s Creggan Estate, was walking the four-year-old family pet through the park at Iniscarn Road when they were attacked.
Grandmother Marie said she tried her best to save her dog from the vicious animals. She added: “I shouted at their owner to get them, she said that they were only playing. Then I saw blood on Ozzy’s ear and his mouth and her dogs were growling and biting.
“I started to scream to people in the play park to help me, they were mauling Ozzy. It was awful. Ozzy’s blood was all over the footpath.
“The owner of the two terriers was actually sitting on Ozzy to keep them from attacking him. Her arms were all bitten. The dogs were growling away, their eyes were rolling in their heads.
“My son grabbed Ozzy and the dogs pounced on him too. He had to run with Ozzy to the car and rushed him to the vet. Our little dog was limp in his arms.
“We’ve been told he lost a leg and is covered in puncture wounds. They told us they will try their best but from seeing him I think there isn’t much hope. I am traumatised by the whole thing. If a child had of been in front of them I’ve no doubt they would have been attacked.”
Catherine Hegarty, 39, who saw the incident said it was like “something from a horror film”.
A PSNI spokesman said: “Due to the nature of the incident a number of police were dispatched to the scene to ensure public safety.
“Thankfully, the situation was resolved with the co-operation and assistance of the dog warden.”