7:00am Wednesday 1st July 2009
By ALLANA CUTTER
A YORKSHIRE terrier was mauled to death in a horrific and prolonged attack by a Staffordshire bull terrier cross.
The Yorkshire terrier’s owners were walking their pet in the playing field at Fernheath Road in West Howe when it approached the bull terrier cross.
The dog turned on the Yorkshire terrier, growled and locked its jaws around it, according to a witness.
Ruby Sherwood, 19, was walking her dog Milo on the field when the incident occurred.
She said: “The dog snatched the little Yorkshire terrier and started to shake it aggressively, like it was a toy.”
Miss Sherwood claimed the owner of the bull terrier cross made no attempt to break up the animals.
The terrier’s owners screamed for it to be released but it was Miss Sherwood’s father, Michael Sherwood, and a number of other men who tackled the dog in a bid to free the smaller dog, she said.
After half an hour the Yorkshire terrier was finally freed, but it died of its injuries.
Dean Shepherd, environmental protection officer at Bourne-mouth Borough Council, said: “One of our dog wardens was immediately sent to the scene.
“We have now taken the necessary enforcement action to ensure this cannot happen again.”
Dorset Police confirmed that they had been called but were “not treating the incident as a criminal investigation”.
The playing field is used by a number of local children and is near Heathlands Primary School.
Miss Sherwood, who studied animal care at Kingston Maurward College, was shaken by the event and is now afraid to walk her dog on the field.
RSPCA spokeswoman Jo Barr said: “It is devastating for everyone involved when something like this happens.
“It is vitally important that people are responsible and keep their dogs under control.”
The owner has now been ordered by the council to keep the dog muzzled and on a lead in public places.
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