CHINGFORD: Poodle attacked by bull terrier (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

CHINGFORD: Poodle attacked by bull terrier

11:50am Friday 19th September 2008 in

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A PENSIONER'S poodle was attacked by a savage bull terrier during a walk in the park.

The injured dog was bitten in the abdomen and had its stomach ripped open as her distressed owner, Doreen Bruce, 77, looked helplessly on.

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier, accompanied by a teenager in Chingford Memorial Park, was not on a lead, which is illegal under the Neighbourhoods and Environment Act.

Luckily Pippa the poodle was not fatally injured and is recovering at home after an emergency operation.

Mrs Bruce’s niece, Shiela Herbert, of Oak Hill, Highams Park, said: “There was blood everywhere. All of her stomach was ripped open. My aunt was helpless to do anything and is very upset. She is worried about Pippa because she is not eating.”

“Every time I see a young boy he has an aggressive dog. It is not knives now, it is dogs that are being used as status symbols on the street. No child should be allowed out on the streets with a dog. “They should be old enough to be responsible and children do not know the implications of having an animal.”

The young owner of the dog retreived his dog, apologised to Mrs Bruce, and left the park.

Pippa’s life was saved by another passing dog owner who stepped in and insured the poodle was rushed to the vet Mrs Herbert, who has six rescue dogs herself, said Pippa often plays in Memorial Park with other ‘notorious’ breeds of dog, including rottweiller Toby and Staffordshire Bull Terrier Oscar.

She said: “It is not the breed of dog it is the boys attached to them. It doesn’t matter what dog you have, they are a potential weapon and any dog could be viscous.

“It is up to you, as a responsible owner, to train your dog. These owners have no respect and no idea how to handle their dogs, so many of the bogs become out of control.”

“These young boys have no other reason than to cause sorrow and heartache to decent people going for just walking their dogs. Pippa is not the first and won’t be the last dog to suffer like this.”

Last month a Golden Labrador was mauled by three pitbull-type terriers in Forest Road, Walthamstow.

The dog’s horrified owner looked on while the mutts bit him on the head and ears.

Waltham Forest Council’s animal warden, Wayne Brown, has also recorded a rise in dog-fighting.