A greyhound was left needing dozens of stitches after she was viciously attacked at a Sidmouth playing field.
Sue and Robert Perryman have had to pay hundreds of pounds in vet bills after their beloved Lottie, a retired racing dog, was attacked by another animal near the Manstone area.
This was one of two separate attacks which happened in the town on Monday.
Sue, 65, said her husband was walking their four-year-old canine on a lead when a Newfoundland, which was not on a lead, spotted Lottie and launched at her. The other dog’s owner also had a white terrier on a lead, said Sue.
She added that her 67-year-old husband was left quite shaken after the attack. The couple had to rush the dog to the vet, where she had to have five bloody puncture wounds glued and stitched back together. She also suffered scratches around her groin area and a pulled muscle in her neck. The couple have so far had to pay £329 in vet bills.
Sue said: “It launched itself off a three-foot wall onto her back. My husband said she made a hell of a noise. Robert had to hit the other dog and try and separate them, which took a little while.
“The other owner asked if she was okay - my husband just said, ‘no she is not’ and was more concerned about getting Lottie to the vets – he didn’t even manage to get a name.”
After hearing about Lottie on Facebook, a resident voiced concerns about another incident which happened on the same day in the Primley area of The Byes, at about 8pm.
A cream cockapoo was attacked by a tan-coloured American pitbull-type dog, owned by a man. The cockapoo was left with a puncture wound on its hind leg and had to have several stitches.
An East Devon District Council spokeswoman said: “We have been made aware of these distressing incidents and have received enquiries from the owners of the two dogs, which were injured.
“We will be contacting anyone involved, including the owners of the offending dogs if they can be identified, and will consider whether any action is appropriate. It is the responsibility of any dog owner to keep their dogs under control at all times, on a lead and muzzled if necessary, in order that incidents like this cannot occur.”
She added that any such incidents were ‘extremely upsetting’ and the council would continue to educate the owners of dogs that cause problems, taking more formal action where appropriate.
Anyone who saw what happened in either of the incidents has been asked to email environmentalhealth@eastdevon.gov.uk, or call 01395 516551.
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