Two dogwalkers were left terrified after their pet suffered “gaping wounds” when an off-the-lead dog viciously attacked her.
Ian and Katie Fowler were walking their two dogs in Cassiobury park around 9am on June 3 when a large dog attacked their cross beagle retriever.
They believe the attacking dog was a Staffordshire bull terrier which headed straight towards their pet and bit into its neck without warning.
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The retired couple have two dogs - an elderly dog and a puppy - and they believe had the puppy been attacked it would likely have died.
Mr Fowler said: “It suddenly turned on my elderly dog and grabbed it by the neck and collar.
“I rushed down and, perhaps stupidly, tried to pull the dog away. The lady whose dog it was tried to get the harness on her dog to pull away as well.
“There was no warning of attack whatsoever, the dog simply latched on to my dog with no aggressive sign.”
The injuries can be seen clearly on the dog’s neck with numerous stitches needed.
Mr Fowler added: “We couldn’t believe our eyes, after what seemed like an age of tugging and pulling it released our dog and I didn’t think the damage was that bad but on seeing it up close I saw a gaping wound.
“We rushed the dog to the vet as it had numerous gaping wounds and needed numerous stiches to the neck, and it cost us £1,300.”
The couple say that due to the shock of the situation they didn’t manage to get any details from the dog’s owner.
Mr Fowler says that he was told by the other owner that this was something the Staffy was known to do as it had itself been attacked in the past.
This is not the only report of dangerous dogs around Cassiobury park in the last few days.
Mr Fowler, who lives on the Cassiobury estate and walks his dogs in the park every day, added: “We feel Cassiobury Park has deteriorated, it’s not the same as it used to be, large dogs, signs of drug dealing.
“It is no longer the same friendly place.”
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