Bulldog left scarred for life by pitbull attack in Leicester park
A British bulldog has been savaged by another dog while it was being walked in a park.
Bridie Taylor was out with her pet, Reggie, in Rushey Mead Park, Leicester, when a pitbull or similar dog charged over and bit him on the neck.
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Traumatised: Bridie Taylor with her pet bulldog, Reggie
Bridie said: "The dog just kept pulling at Reggie's neck and ripped off the collar and left six big punctures in his neck."
The 20-year-old kicked the dog until it released Reggie and one of the two men who were with the animal pulled it away by its collar.
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Reggie needed stitches in his neck after the attack on July 20, and is still suffering, with weeping sores, swelling and breathing problems.
Bridie said both she and Reggie had been left traumatised by the attack, which is being investigated by police.
She said: "Reggie is really poorly and I think it has scarred us both for life.
"He used to be really happy and jumpy but now he's completely different.
"He doesn't want to go out and he's on edge all the time."
She said the man who pulled the dog away did not even apologise.
"I said nothing because I was in shock and just so worried about Reggie," she said.
"The other dog looked like a pitbull and it didn't have a muzzle or a lead on.
"When the man walked off with it he still didn't put a lead on it and I was worried about kids playing in the area.
"It obviously had a taste for blood and could have gone and attacked them next.
"I was with my 11-year-old nephew at the time and it's lucky neither of us was attacked."
Reggie was treated at the PDSA charity in Braunstone.
Senior surgeon Mark Short said: "Reggie was brought into PDSA and had suffered a number of injuries, which were treated.
"All dog owners are responsible for keeping their pets under control.
"Sadly, this isn't always the case and over one million dogs display aggressive behaviour towards people and other pets every week, including growling, snarling and biting."
The attack happened at about 3pm on July 20, and police have appealed for witnesses to come forward.
A spokeswoman said: "We received a report just before 3pm on Friday, July 20, that a dog had been injured by a pitbull.
"It is believed the offending dog was not on a lead and two Asian men were seen with it.
"We would encourage the owners of the dog to come forward and would also ask witnesses to contact us."
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the police on 101.
Comments
by jtrenchard
Thursday, September 06 2012, 5:32PM
“Very few breeds of dog 'choose' to attack other dogs. Whilst most pitbulls, staffies etc are good natured, some are not. Owners are perfectly aware of their own dog's temperament and should act accordingly. I have read of three dog attacks recently by the same types of dog with irresponsible owners.
I feel sorry for the gogs that they have been raised with that temperament or if they have it to begin with, but the owners are fully to blame and should be held fully accountable.
Most people have phones with cameras/video - I hope we start to use them to get to some of these owners, who otherwise are very difficult to prosecute.”
by City_C10
Friday, July 27 2012, 6:56PM
“Lol - When did I say I did? Are all Leicester people like the users on here?”
by bellescar
Friday, July 27 2012, 3:52PM
“Just to clarify, im fully aware that bulldogs have breathing problems as i have grown up around the breed, but when his neck had doubled in size, thats where his breathing problems worsen, also as diagnosed by the vet that treated him. As for attack dogs, there a status symbol, it sickens me to think people could argue against that, as it says in the article it could have been a.child and still can. I agree most dogs are behaved and enjoyed by their owner as reggie is, but that didnt stop him being attacked. I am simply warning the public from my horrific experience.”
by karinfall1955
Friday, July 27 2012, 11:32AM
“Reggie is suffering from breathing problems.. sorry about the attack but breathing problems are what bulldogs get in hot weather. It is a breed that has been totally over-bred, along with pugs and to a lesser extent boxers. Brachycephalic is the general term.
As far as the attack goes I hope the owners of the out of control dog are found and prosecuted but lets not lose perspective. Most dogs are well behaved and enjoyed by their owners. One black youth stabs another, do we condemn all black youths? Of course not. It is the fashion for 'attack' dogs that needs tackling pro-actively.”
by Eastonian
Friday, July 27 2012, 9:35AM
“It seems to me they should put some of these irresponsible dog owners down as well as at the same time as the dangerous dogs.”
by City_C10
Friday, July 27 2012, 9:32AM
“"It is believed the offending dog was not on a lead and two Asian men were seen with it."
Is what was said Likeitalot!”
by Kohelet
Friday, July 27 2012, 9:31AM
“A big a or a small a, who cares. you are to quick to condemn”
by City_C10
Friday, July 27 2012, 9:30AM
“It is hard when dog walking as we have all seen dogs barking at each other. This is why it is important to keep all dogs on leads to stop them from attacking each other and people. There has been other debates on this on this site. I wish them both well in regard to this piece!”