A traumatised gran has described the horrifying moment her cockapoo was savaged by a much larger, muscular dog that slipped its lead and muzzle.
Sue Hambley’s one-year-old pet Ralphie had to have his leg amputated after the vicious attack near Victoria Park in Ashford – leaving her with a £6,000 vet bill.
Police have not yet confirmed the breed of the other dog following requests from KentOnline – but Mrs Hambley and neighbours say it is an XL bully. It has now been seized by officers.
Recalling the terrifying incident that left blood spattered across her clothes and the road, Mrs Hambley told KentOnline: “We passed a few women with young children and a dog with a muzzle on.
“As we walked past, it sort of growled and barked at Ralph, but we just took no notice, as he was on a lead.
“And then all of a sudden, it just freed itself and grabbed hold of him, dragging him into the road.
“I just started screaming and just trying to get the dog off, but it didn't have a collar on by this time.”
Ralphie managed to get away momentarily before the “thick-necked” dog – which was a gingery/tan colour with a white chest – caught the cockapoo once more.
Mrs Hambley, 55, continued: “He got him again, and I'm just grabbing him, screaming.
“It was just horrendous – I could see his little face and all the blood.
“He managed to get free again and I could just see his leg hanging off.
“I just scooped him up in total shock.”
Mrs Hambley, who works at Lewisham Hospital, reports that none of the people with the dog attempted to help break up the commotion or catch their pet until after the attack on Monday, May 20.
The cockapoo was then rushed to the vet, where he underwent emergency surgery. Unfortunately, his leg could not be saved.
Scans revealed he also had a pneumothorax – where air accumulates outside the lungs.
“Thank God they stabilised him,” Mrs Hambley said.
“He's recovering well, but it's just awful.
“This is so horrific I just can’t believe it.”
The total vet bill came to £6,000 and Ralphie’s insurance only covers £2,000 of that. She has been left with no choice but to put the huge sum on credit cards.
Officers have now seized two dogs from a nearby home after the incident was reported to police.
Mrs Hambley told KentOnline: “I feel better now the dogs are gone, but I'd be looking out the window at a little one, and I'd be terrified for it.
“The trauma and the images you get don’t go away.
“I’ve probably not slept more than five hours since it happened, and I feel constantly sick.”
Meanwhile, Ralphie – usually a very laid-back, playful pooch – has now become nervous of people entering his home.
Mrs Hambley added: “I can't get my head around it, because there was no provocation.
“I never dreamed anything so horrific could happen while he was on a lead.
“If anyone has a banned or reactive dog, please make sure it’s wearing a correctly fitted, secure muzzle and lead that it cannot get out of.”
Ralphie has been getting used to life on three legs, and will be introduced to other, friendly pets once his stitches have been removed.
A police spokesman confirmed that they removed two dogs from their owner.
They said: “We were called on Monday, May 20, to a report that a dog had attacked another dog in the Baileys Field area of Ashford, leaving it with serious injuries.
“An investigation is ongoing into the circumstances and on Thursday 23 May, officers authorised the seizure of two dogs from a nearby address, which have been taken into kennels.
“Enquiries are ongoing.”
XL bullies became a banned breed in February following a series of high-profile attacks – including on a daschund puppy in Chestfield, near Whitstable, last year.
Meanwhile, a couple who adopted one of the dogs before the ban – not knowing it was pregnant – now have a total of nine running riot in their home.
Owners must now keep the dogs muzzled and on a lead in public places – and in secure conditions that will stop them from escaping.
Under the Dangerous Dogs Act, it is illegal to allow any canine to be dangerously out of control in a public place.
It can be regarded as being dangerously out of control on any occasion where it causes fear or apprehension to a person that it may injure them.
