Dog walkers call for justice for Jeffrey

A DROVE of dachshunds descended on Burbage Common in memory of a special fellow pooch.

Walkers with some 30 dogs of all shapes and sizes went around the green space on the first anniversary of the death of Jeffrey, a miniature wire-haired dachshund who was mauled by three larger dogs on Crosby beach in Merseyside.

Since his death, there have been multiple dogs attacked and killed by out-of-control dogs, with a petition going on to call for harsher punishments for those who do not look after their dogs. It says on the petition page: “We want harsher punishment for people who do not properly train and socialise their dogs, yet allow them to be muzzle free and lead free in public places.

“We should not be in fear walking our dogs in public places that they may face an attack, from dogs with careless owners. We need harsher laws so owners of dogs who are likely to attack take the appropriate steps to ensuring it does not happen, that is, leads and muzzles.

“This is in memory of Jeffrey.” Michael Waters was the person responsible for the two lurchers and a Shar Pei which fatally savaged Jeffrey, and he was charged with being the owner/person in charge of a dog dangerously out of control.

Waters, of Grasmere Street, in Anfield, pleaded guilty and was disqualified from keeping a dog for a period of three years.

Funds from the walk will go to the Justice for Jeffrey fund, with a donation of £2 per dog contributing to vet bills for other dogs attacked.

Donations will also go to Dedicated to Dachshunds with IVDD (Intervertebral Disc Disease). The walk was part of a worldwide event in aid of the good cause.

For more information, visit the Justice for Jeffrey Facebook page. that have been