SAVAGED PET WAS PROTECTING TODDLER (From Thisisdorset)

SAVAGED PET WAS PROTECTING TODDLER

9:16am Saturday 4th July 2009

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A GRANDMOTHER whose dog was killed during a horrific attack by a Staffordshire bull terrier cross believes her dog died protecting her 15-month-old grandson.

Carol Pimperton, 51, says miniature Yorkshire terrier Spike got between the black bull terrier and her grandson Alfie as the youngster toddled towards it on the playing field at Fernheath Road, West Howe in Bournemouth.

The bull terrier, which was on a lead, lunged at Spike, grabbed him in its jaws and shook him around like a ragdoll during the 15-minute long attack.

Despite the desperate attempts of passers-by to rescue two-year-old Spike he died at the scene.

A vet’s examination later found that the terrier’s chest, lungs and neck had been punctured and his back broken.

Sobbing Carol told the Echo that she, husband Andrew, 52, an unemployed HGV driver, and a friend Ruby Sherwood, 19, had been standing together on the field chatting as their dogs played together and little Alfie kicked a football around.

They saw the bull terrier approaching with its owner, who had it on a lead. The dogs greeted each other with tails wagging and little Alfie began to toddle across to them.

Carol said: “If it hadn’t been my dog it would have been my grandson. It’s almost as if Spike knew what was going to happen. He protected him like he always has done if he thinks he’s in danger.

“Spike got between them. There was no growling and no teeth showing. The dog just turned so quickly.

“He got Spike around the neck and chest. He was shaking him around like a ragdoll. I was screaming and other people were trying to get him off.

“All this time my grandson was watching. I just picked him up and turned his face away. I’ve never seen anything so traumatic in my whole life. I don’t think I’ve slept properly since.”

The bull terrier eventually dropped Spike on the floor and police were called.

Little Alfie, who considered Spike his best friend, keeps asking for him, added the couple.

Carol added: “What’s to say it’s not going to happen again? Next time it might not be a dog. It might be a child.”

Rob White, head of Regulatory Services, said that its dog wardens will continue to patrol the area to ensure the dog owner is complying with its requirement to muzzle his dog and keep it on a lead at all times when in public.

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Your Say YourDorset

poolebabe, poole says...
9:47am Sat 4 Jul 09

Tricky to have an opinion now. :/ It goes without saying this is tragic, and it is very sad an unfortunate the little Yorkshire terrier died. My biggest bug bare is dogs like bull terriers off lead, but the dog was on the lead. Should have been muzzled if dangerous, but the dog was on a lead. It does seem likely now the Yorkshire terrier, obviously off lead, was agressive to the bull terrier. The child is a serious issue indeed. But any parent with a small child in a dog walking area should bear that in mind that not all dogs are friendly or like children and a parent also has a duty to ensure the safety of a small child also. Common sense to approach any on lead dog with caution. Reading this story, the bull terrier did not seem threatning, but became threatened by the yorkshire terrier and reacted. Unfortunate, but a lesson to everyone involved. Thank goodness it wasn't the child, but it wasn't. We cannot second guess the intentions of the dogs either way, just because there was a child present. Don't mean to sound harsh about it, but my opinion has changed slightly about this story. At first I assumed the bull terrier was off lead. It wasn't. So it becomes a different issue for me.