Dog owner warns of dangerous animals after attack

5:24pm Friday 7th December 2012 in News Photograph of the Author By Zoe Forsey, Senior Reporter

Dog owner warns of dangerous animals after attack Dog owner warns of dangerous animals after attack

A mother from St Albans is trying to warn residents about the harm that dangerous dogs can cause, even when wearing a muzzle, after her cocker spaniel was brutally attacked.

Hilary Dobinson, of Cotton Mill Lane, decided to take her 18-month-old dog Hollie for a walk in Verulam Park after dropping her two daughters at school on Tuesday, December 4.

During her journey around the park she saw two other dogs and noticed they did not appear to be with an owner.

She became wary of the dogs’ angry behaviour so changed her course and began walking in another direction.

She said: “[The dogs] were just watching my puppy. It put me on my guard so I walked away from them.”

However before she managed to get away both of the dogs attacked her young dog.

One of the dogs, a Rottweiler, was wearing a muzzle but still managed to knock Hollie over and pin her down to the ground.

Ms Dobinson was able to pull the Rottweiler off but then the other dog jumped on Hollie and bit her back.

She said: “Hollie was just screaming.

“I was extremely stressed. I thought I was going to lose my dog.

“I tried to push and kick the dog away but it was so quick.

“I could see the blood but I didn’t know at the time how bad it was. I just wanted to get away from the situation.

“I was shaking and in tears by that point.”

Ms Dobinson claims that the owner of the dogs was not supervising them, and that she did not appear until after the attack had begun.

She said: “The owner was apologetic but it was too little too late.

“She should have had more control.

“I’m just so angry that people still let dogs they know are dangerous lose.

“Owners need to be more responsible.

“I think people should be aware that these sorts of things still happen. It could have been a small child.”

Following the attack Hollie had to have internal and external stitches and she is still on medication.

Mr Dobinson said: “She is bouncing back. She is a very sweet little dog.

“I’m the one who is going to be nervous going around that park again.

“I can’t sleep at night. I keep reliving it over and over.

“Although she survived it could have gone the other way.”

Comments(4)

Arthur Strong says...
6:47pm Fri 7 Dec 12

I find the best way to avoid these dogs is to walk your dog early. The owners of dangerous dogs don't usually get out of bed before the middle of the morning. In the afternoons, walk in the countryside as the owners tend not to waddle that far.

Report this post »

Amanda Shipman says...
9:02am Thu 13 Dec 12

My dog was also attacked on Tuesday 4 December in Verulam Park. The attack happened at 8.45am in the woods that run along the site of the Roman Wall.

I was out walking with my husband when our dog, Jazzy, a 12 year old collie cross, was savagely attacked by a young female rottweiler and a ridgeback.

Jazzy is an old dog and doesn't like to play. Both dogs came to say hello to Jazzy, and after the usual doggy courtesies, dogs generally move on. This wasn't happening, so Jazzy snapped that she had had enough and then they started fighting. It was clear that they had a different set of rules, really hurting her and not heeding her yelps to stop as she tried to get away. My husband pulled the rottweiler off and we shouted out to call the owner. A woman in her 40's with loose shoulder length, mid brown hair and a dark jacket appeared. When we complained about her dogs behaviour, she said her dog was wearing a muzzle, so it couldn't have been her dogs fault. It was a heated situation for all of us, but when the dogs were separated and we could think straight, I asked if she was OK, and she says she was, then she said she hoped our dog was OK.

The rottweiler was wearing a pink collar and soft broken nylon muzzle that was open at the nose and still allowed her to bite. Our vet said that this style was a training muzzle and to prevent biting, a dog should wear a leather muzzle that is totally enclosed at the mouth. The vet also suggested we report the incident to the police, which we have done.

Jazzy had two deep bites through to the muscle; one on her shoulder and one on her rump. She was also bitten at the shoulder on her other front leg, and was badly bruised all over her ribs and back. She is on antibiotics and pain relief, but is making a good recovery.

I have never experienced anything so terrifying. Unless the rotteweiler had been physically restrained, I dread to think of the consequences. It has completely shaken my confidence and made me anxious about walking the dog.

Report this post »

only_breathe says...
12:59pm Wed 19 Dec 12

(Hi Amanda,) it seems the attack on your dog happened just minutes before the attack on my puppy. The details are exactly the same, 2 dogs, a Rottweiler and Ridgeback, the description of the owner matches too. These dogs went on a vicious rampage that morning and we are both lucky that our dogs survived. I also tried to report this, firstly to the police, I was told there was little they could do and was referred to the Dog Warden who then suggested I call the Police....so I was at a dead end! That's when I went 'public' (so to speak!) The Inn on the Park kindly posted on their Fb page too, I am still very angry about this. Regards Hilary Dobinson

Report this post »

Amanda Shipman says...
9:50am Fri 21 Dec 12

Hilary, if you'd like to get in touch with me privately, my email is amanda@amandashipman
.com.
kind regards
Amanda

Report this post »

click2find

About cookies

We want you to enjoy your visit to our website. That's why we use cookies to enhance your experience. By staying on our website you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more about the cookies we use.

I agree