‘Traumatic’ assault on woman walking puppy in Bradgate Park
SHE SUFFERS SEVERE FACIAL INJURIES AS YOUNG DOG IS THROWN IN AIR
A WOMAN has described a “traumatic” robbery while out walking her 12-week-old puppy in Bradgate Park.
Rachel Matusiewicz was left with severe facial injuries and a bruised wrist as her phone was stolen in the Newtown Linford park. Her puppy, Rolo, was tossed into the air in the attack.
Police are now searching for the attacker who they say had thrown a rock at Ms Matusiewicz.
A WOMAN was attacked in a “traumatic” robbery while out walking her 12 week-old puppy in Bradgate Park.
The assault, which happened shortly after 2pm on Wednesday, November 24 in the Newtown Linford park, resulted in severe facial injuries, a bruised wrist, and her phone being stolen.
Rachel Matusiewicz, a beauty therapist from Barrow-upon-Soar, said the incident happened as she held her puppy, Rolo, in her arms.
The pup was tossed into the air in the incident.
Posting to social media in a bid to identify her attacker, who was also walking his dogs, she said she had never experienced something so “traumatic”.
Police said they were called to the scene shortly after 2.45pm after it was reported “a man had thrown a rock at a woman, causing a cut to her head”.
Officers confirmed investigations are still under way but no arrests have been made yet.
Ms Matusiewicz said the word “robbery” didn’t “quite cut it” when describing the incident. She said: “An uncomfortable post, but one I’ve decided to share.
“On Wednesday 24th November at approximately 2.15pm, I was attacked on Bradgate Park in Newtown Linford.
“This occurred whilst I was walking my puppy, who I was holding in my arms at the time.
“During the incident, my puppy was thrown several feet in the air and landed on his back.
“I have never experienced something quite so traumatic. The sounds coming from Rolo as he lay on his back made my heart almost stop.
“Thankfully, my beautiful and cherished puppy is absolutely fine, and doing well.
“I was shoved to the ground, and hit over the head with a sharp object. My phone was also taken during the incident.
“The male was not caught, despite the swift attendance of the police and all wardens/rangers on the search.”
She requested her followers on Instagram to read her description of the attacker to see if it triggered anything that could identify him.
She continued: “‘Robbery’ doesn’t quite cut it - the effect this incident has had on me is too difficult and complex to try to articulate, but it’s fair to say that it has set me back considerably.
“More importantly, and what motivates me to make sure this individual is caught, is what this person could have done to my puppy, and the trauma of the incident for Rolo. “Please message myself if anything about the following description rings true.”
The man is described as in his mid-30s and white, with a stocky athletic build, dark eyes, and about 5ft 8in in height.
He had two labradors with him, one white and one brown and fully grown. She said he was wearing a blue sports top and bottoms, wearing a rucksack and had a silver drinks flask.
A spokesman for the force said asked for witnesses or anyone with information is asked to call 101, quoting reference 21*685830.
Robbery’ doesn’t quite cut it - the effect this incident has had on me is too difficult and complex to try to articulate. Rachel Matusiewicz