A WOMAN was left “terrified” after her dog had to receive emergency surgery when it was attacked at Yellowcraig Beach.

Rachel Coull, 25, was walking the family dog Alfie, an eight-year-old Cavapoo, at Yellowcraig at about 11.45am on Sunday when the pet was bitten by a larger dog.

Rachel had been walking the dog, which lives at home with her and her parents in Edinburgh, off the lead along the beach when a large dog, which she said looked like a black and white Border Collie, ran over and bit him on the stomach.

She said: “We were reaching the end of the walk and I saw a group of three people, one man with two dogs and a woman and man with a dog.

“The dog with the man and woman came running over to Alfie and attacked him before running back to the owners.

“I was in shock, they came over and said sorry but then just left.

“I didn’t get their names or details because I was too busy tending to Alfie, who was badly hurt.

'Terrified'

“Thankfully the other man, who was next to them before, came over with his dogs and helped me get him to the car.

“He was really helpful and I am so grateful that he stopped.”

Rachel said she had been told by the man that the owners were a mother and son and they had told him that they had been taking the dog for a walk to “try and get it under control”.

She said: “I am just terrified that it could do this again to someone.

“If it is out of control, it should be on a lead.

“Alfie wasn’t on a lead, but he is well trained and listens when you call him.

“If a dog doesn’t listen, it should be on a lead.”

Large bill

After the incident, Alfie was rushed to Vets4Pets at Fort Kinnaird, where he underwent emergency surgery overnight.

He has since been returned home and is wearing a cone and has had part of his fur shaved.

Rachel said: “Thankfully, he is home now, but we will face a large bill which will go to the insurance.

“We were £1,400 for the surgery and medication and I think one follow-up visit. But he’ll need more vet visits after that I am sure.

“It’s not really about the money, though, I am just worried this happens again to another dog.

“We travel a distance to get to Yellowcraig to walk him because it is a nice beach. We’ve not had issues there in the past, but this was a really worrying experience, it has left me terrified.”

Rachel has asked anyone with information on the owners of the other dog to contact her via email at rachel.coull@hotmail.com