Motherwell woman attacked by staffordshire bull terrier

Oct 28 2010 by Leona Greenan, Hamilton Advertiser

A MOTHERWELL woman was left in a state of shock after being bitten by a Staffordshire bull terrier as it viciously attacked her pet dog.

The 34-year-old was walking along a footpath from Strathclyde Park to Watling Street at 12.30pm on Sunday, October 17 when she noticed the bull terrier running up the path.

The dog then began to growl and bark before latching on to her pet, locking its jaw and ferociously biting the dog on the leg.

Four men came to the rescue, seizing the dog and forcing its release from the victim’s pet.

After the attack the distressed woman noticed she had been bitten on the hand and required hospital treatment at Wishaw General. Her dog was taken to the emergency vets in Glasgow where it received treatment to a severe bite wound on its leg.

PC Ruddell of Strathclyde Police Community Safety team said: “This type of incident is, thankfully, rare. The owner of the dog in question is guilty of an offence because he did not keep proper control of his animal, allowing it to attack another dog, biting it and its owner in the process.

“I would urge all dog walkers to be aware of their responsibility to properly take care and control of their dog in a public place.

“If you are subjected to repeated or aggressive barking, growling or biting it is likely to be a matter for the police, RSPCA or dog warden to investigate.”

PC Matt Griffiths, enquiry officer added, “We would like to thank the men who stepped in to help the female during the attack and would particularly like to speak to the two men who drove the lady home.

“Anyone else who knows anything about this incident should please contact Strathclyde Police on 01698 483000 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”