Pet is lucky to be alive after savage mauling by mastiff

Bryan Copland • Published 16 Feb 2012 09:28 5 Comments

A DOG owner has described how her beloved pet is lucky to be alive after being subjected to a "horrific" attack by another canine.

An unleashed French mastiff sunk its teeth into the neck of 18-month-old West Highland White terrier 'Belle' as she walked with owners Fiona and Stuart Anderson near West Barns last Monday.

The Westie was left covered in blood following the attack, which happened on a path near East Links Family Park at about 4.45pm.

The Andersons have hit out at the dog's owner, and the incident is being investigated by local authority officials.

Mrs Anderson, 44, told the Courier: "We were walking Belle and she wasn't on the lead, she was behind us. We saw a chap talking to another lady and they had dogs - there was a little boy as well, he must have been about three.

"The little boy was coming towards us and all of a sudden two dogs came running towards us. The mastiff knocked against my husband and he moved back - and then we realised that both were going for Belle.

"The big dog just got a hold of her and grabbed her. We thought she had broken her neck to be honest - it was horrible.

"I was screaming and my husband managed to pick the mastiff up and pull it off our dog, and our dog bolted away off towards West Barns.

"She was covered in blood and had a puncture wound on her neck from the teeth that had gone through.

"She was lucky to live. I would honestly say it was horrific."

The pooch was taken to Links Veterinary Clinic in Haddington for treatment and remained there overnight, before being put on a course of antibiotics.

But Mrs Anderson - who has had Belle since it was eight weeks old - said her dog had been left badly affected by the incident.

"She was in absolute shock and obviously lost a fair bit of blood," she explained.

"She is really shaken, no question. She's just so much quieter. She was a lively, friendly wee dog and she's going to get her confidence back I'm sure, but she's just so tired, and shaky when dogs come near her."

Though the couple did not know the dog's owner, they believe he lives in Dunbar. He had another dog - an Atika - with him at the time of the attack which was also not on a lead.

It is understood the owner may have only had the mastiff a matter of weeks.

One website - Dog Breed Info Centre - says French mastiffs are "gentle with children and family members" but adds: "However this is a powerful animal, and is not suitable for an inexperienced dog owner."

Mrs Anderson added: "I would say the dog was just below my husband's hip [in height]. It's a good height, and it's a big, strong dog.

"Belle was just a wee scrap to him. It looks aggressive and when it was charging towards us I thought, 'Crikey, you look scary!' and we both realised at the same time it was going for Belle. She just didn't stand a chance.

"That dog should've been on a lead for a start. The other one wasn't on a lead either. I feel if it had a muzzle on and it was on a lead, this wouldn't have happened."

Mrs Anderson said they had briefly spoken to the dog's owner before running after Belle, but that he had made "no effort" to help or apologise to them.

She said: "He was walking in the same direction as us but we were just too upset."

East Lothian Council, which has responsibility for dangerous dogs, is investigating the incident.

A spokeswoman said: "The council is aware of this particular attack. We are investigating the incident and will be making a full report back to both dog owners in the near future."

Among the options available is a control order, which could include requirements that the dog is kept on a lead and muzzled when in public areas, and restrictions on who takes it out for walks.

Owners placed under orders are observed and monitored to ensure they are adhering to the rules, but if they fail to comply or further incidents occur, the dog can eventually be taken off them.

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This article appeared in East Lothian Courier 16 Feb 12

Have your say. Post a comment on this article.

• 

  Peter Wellard
  Unregistered User
  Feb 20, 20:00
  Report comment

  I'm sick of these types of big dogs whether it be Rottweilers, Dobermans, Mastiffs, Pit Bulls whatever, running loose and uncontrolled, their owners are either thick or just don't care. It's getting pretty bad when one has to consider carrying some form of protection with you to counter any such attack from one of these unleashed dogs, let's face it though as in this case no one is going to help you so you are ultimately alone and have to deal with the situation there and then by yourself.
  
  Recommend?   Yes 4     No 4

• 

  amy fox
  Unregistered User
  Feb 22, 00:06
  Report comment

  wow, peoples' ignorance never fails to astound me. are you seriously suggesting that carrying a weapon under any circumstance is acceptable? you clearly do not know much about dogs in general never mind being breed specific. maybe if owners were vetted, licensed and educated to start with we wouldn't have so may problems. i am a dog owner and i happen to own a staffordshire bull terrier. it may not be one of the big breeds you mentioned but im sure you would be the type to have an opinion. most likely a wrong one. dogs do not just randomly attack. they will tell you in their own way what they think and feel in any given situation. its down to us, the owners to learn to read dogs facial expressions and body language. the owner of the mastiff clearly doesn't know what he should be looking for. and as for you mr wellard, i think you and your opinions should be kept on a very tight leash and a muzzle would probably help too.
  
  Recommend?   Yes 2     No 2

• 

  Alistair
  Unregistered User
  Feb 23, 10:36
  Report comment

  Peter Wellard what utter rubbish you talk, I have a Dobermann and since living here in east lothian she has been bit three times by labradors and everytime she came straight back to me without retalliation, the rogue dogs are being let loose by irresponsible owners who dont care and dont train there dogs correctly. There is thousands of us owners who own rottweillers, dobermanns and staffies. Any breed of dog can attack and at any time. I know of several prominent people who own these dogs with no problems at all.
  
  Recommend?   Yes 3     No 0

• 

  steve
  Unregistered User
  Feb 23, 12:33
  Report comment

  There is thousands of us owners who own rottweillers, dobermanns and staffies.
  
  Makes you feel tough doesn't it?
  
  Recommend?   Yes 0     No 1

• 

  Scotgirl
  Unregistered User
  Feb 24, 12:11
  Report comment

  Our small Border terrier (on harness/lead) was attached by an uncontrolled Staffie - she sustained a bad gash to her shoulder which resulted in a £200+ vet bill plus a huge amount of trauma to her and us as a result. The owner of the Staffie just laughed at us when we complained to him. His dog has attacked and bitten other dogs to our knowledge but despite reporting this to the local dog warden nothing can be done. We have owned dogs for many years, but when our dog is no longer alive we are giving up keeping pets - it just isn't a pleasure any more with so many ignorant dog owners now making dog walking such a risky and stressful activity.
  
  Recommend?   Yes 0     No 0

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