CRAZED STAFFIE MAULED ME AND MY PUPPY
Chris Taylor
A mum has told how she was mauled by an out- of- control Staffie after it locked its jaws around her puppy’s throat.
Claire Brown, 36, was left covered in blood after the beast savaged tiny springer spaniel Floyd.
She ran to help but was attacked by the animal after it went berserk.
Claire said: “I had gone to visit my friend when the dog from downstairs
ran out from its house and darted between my legs. The puppy had been lying in the grass and it just flew for him. It grabbed him by the neck and was just shaking him like a ragdoll.
“Floyd’s head was hitting off the ground and he was crying for help.
“I was screaming so loud the neighbours told me it sounded like a child was being murdered.”
It took 10 people to force the Staffordshire bull terrier to the ground and force it to release the pup.
At Paisley Sheriff Court this week owner Pamela Stirling, 35, was banned from keeping pets for life at after admitting failing to control it.
Floyd was left with puncture wounds to his neck and jaw and also lost teeth during the bloodbath.
But Claire revealed it is the psychological injuries he sustained which have been most upsetting.
She added: “Floyd changed that day.
“He was always such a goodnatured wee dog and he was brilliant with our other pets and loved to play in the park.
“He was only six months old at the time and he was never the same after what happened to him.
“I can tell you for certain that what happened to him flipped something in his head. He became aggressive.
“I’ve got a family and other dogs in the house.
“It broke my heart, but I had to give him away
“I’m glad the woman has been banned from keeping pets because she shouldn’t be allowed them if she can’t control or look after them.”
Claire, of Foxbar, Paisley, scooped the bloodsoaked puppy into her arms and ran to the house she shares with husband Gordon, 43, daughter Jasmine, 20, and son William, 16.
Her youngest watched in horror as she was helped in by pals.
Claire explained: “We took him to the vet as quickly as we could and they told us to prepare ourselves because he might not pull through.
“It was horrific. We didn’t think Floyd was going to make it.”
Sheriff Linda Smith heard Stirling, of nearby Spey Avenue, had been “careless” and “reckless” by allowing the Staffordshire bull terrier to run free last August 28.
She said: “I will take account of the fact that you pled guilty to this at an early stage.
“This avoids the necessity for witnesses, who had experienced what must have been a very distressing and frightening experience for them at the time, from having to attend.”
Defence lawyer Bob Mitchell insisted Stirling had a history of mental illness and maintained she would accept help to turn her life around.
Sheriff Smith ordered the Staffie to be destroyed, but deferred sentence for a year to allow Stirling to take part in rehabilitation programmes.
She added: “You must continue to accept the efforts that have been put in place to help you with your various health difficulties.”
Stirling was slapped with a lifetime ban on keeping animals and warned she could still be ordered to complete unpaid work after the attack on August 28 last year.