Heartache as pup savaged to death
A Hamilton family are devastated after their puppy was mauled to death by a pitbull.
Sal Graham, 35, came home to a bloodbath in his garden in Hillside Crescent which left 12-week old Coco savaged and wife Neha badly injured.
Coco was left defenceless when the animal leapt into their garden. Neha, 25, was knocked to the ground after holding Coco upwards to protect her and suffered bite wounds for her troubles, which landed her in hospital.
The pup, only bought by Sal and Neha five weeks ago, died instantly as Sal explained “she immediately went limp”.
The heartbroken couple have had to move to Sal’s mum’s house for a few days to recover from their traumatic ordeal on Tuesday, June 23.
It is understood the other animal has been put down.
“We’re traumatised and devastated”, Sal said. “My wife suffered really bad bites so she’s in a lot of pain and had to receive butterfly stitches.
“We’re just distraught, it’s horrible. We’ve had to move to my mum’s house for a few days because we couldn’t be at home.
“I would never want anyone to suffer the trauma this has caused us. And it could have been a lot worse, one of our neighbours has young grandchildren aged between three and 10. If they were out playing with Coco it could have ripped one of their faces off as well. It’s horrible to think.”
Sal has three children who often saw Coco. He says it’s been difficult for them, with his youngest daughter aged eight brought to tears when she heard the news.
Coco was taken to a local vet, however she had already passed away, and Neha was taken to hospital for treatment.
Speaking of the attack, Sal said: “I just nipped out to the shop.”
And he added: “It leapt over the fence and went for them straight away.
“I came back and Neha is screaming in the street and her face, clothes, everything was covered in blood. Various neighbours were out in the street. One of them was trying to resuscitate her, but I knew straight away when I got there the dog was gone. Her eyes were rolling and she was totally lifeless. She died instantly.
“Neha lifted Coco, holding her as high as she could, and Coco was screaming and wrapped round her neck because she was terrified and the dog was biting Neha while she was trying to push it off, but it jumped up and knocked her off her feet. It was too powerful for my wife, it’s a massive dog, no way she could have done anything. She said with the first bite on Coco she immediately went limp.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Police Scotland can confirm that enquiries are underway following the report of a dog attack in Hillside Crescent in Hamilton on Monday, 23 June, 2020. A 12-weekold pup died in the attack. The female owner of the pup received a number of bites and scratches in the attack. Investigations into the circumstances are ongoing.”