Tiny chihuahua pup survives terrifying attack at Preston beach
A HELPLESS owner watched as her tiny puppy was grabbed around the neck by a larger dog and held for 30 minutes in its locked jaws.
Sammy the terrified chihuahua was paraded around Preston beach, Paignton, by the dog which refused to let go.
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recovering: Rita Weeks with Sammy Andy Styles TQAS20130308H-001_C
The animal ran into the sea with little Sammy between its teeth 'like a toy' and only released the frightened puppy when its owner bit it on the ear.
Sammy was so badly injured that owner Rita Weeks, who also suffered a bite, thought she was dead.
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But she says vets worked miracles to bring her unconscious dog back to life and the brave little animal is now recovering at home in Paignton.
The owner of the other dog helped to get Sammy to the vets and has agreed to foot the medical bill.
Rita said the bull terrier was running around before it spotted Sammy cowering away.
She said: "I went to pick Sammy up, but was bitten by the dog who then grabbed Sammy round the neck and run off with her in its locked jaws in the sea.
"It went on for half an hour and was horrific.
"Everyone was screaming and some tried in vain to open its locked jaws."
A group of women who were walking the dog could not persuade it to let go and called the dog's owner who was in Torquay.
"He had to bite his dog's ear to unhinge its hold," Mrs Weeks claimed.
"Poor tiny Sammy was cold wet and bleeding, she was unconscious but thankfully someone resuscitated her."
The owner of the bull terrier rushed Rita and the limp puppy to Dart Vale Vets in Manor Road, Paignton, where she received life support.
Rita feared the worst as her heartbeat was extremely weak, but against all the odds Sammy survived the night. She was x-rayed and her wounds stitched up. Sammy is recovering well but still poorly.
"Sammy is more than a pup," Rita says. "All our prayer's have been answered — a miracle happened.
"Without the help of the bull terrier's owner Sammy wouldn't be here."
Rita was treated for a bite to her hand at Torbay Hospital.
She said: "The owner has followed Sammy's progress via Dart Vale vets and has kindly offered to settle their bill and we wish to extend our thanks to him too."
Police logged a report and are investigating the incident but because it was classed as a dog-on-dog attack Rita says there is little they can do.
Comments
by bethneyhoe
Friday, March 22 2013, 10:36PM
“A cchhaavv with a conscience, that's rare.”
by KLeeH
Friday, March 22 2013, 9:14PM
“I always muzzle my Saffy when out. I know how they can lock their jaw's, from an unfortunate incident where my Saffy was provoked by my old Jack Russel he kept attacking the Staff constant until enough was enough for the poor S*****.
He is lovely natured, thinks he's one of the kids lol
I think it is sad as I don't take him out much because I am scared what is behind that jaw power.
As sensible dog owner I take these precautions instead of parading my dog around, off the lead and unmuzzled, simply because he is a S*****!!”
by Ned_Fl4nders
Friday, March 22 2013, 7:19PM
“Bring back the dog license. And have it revoked if serious incidents like this occur. We have the technology now to chip dogs with the information there is no excuse.”
by bethneyhoe
Friday, March 22 2013, 7:15PM
“The police won't do anything about either end of the lead, neither will our council. Both totally useless.”
by Buddythedog
Friday, March 22 2013, 2:45PM
“Once again the reputation of a perfectly lovely dog breed is being tarnished by irresponsible people. It's easy to say all Bull Terriers are dangerous. Not true. A well looked after and trained bull terrier makes a fantastic pet. For those ignorant of the breed, you should on a little investigation. UK kennel club recommends only 2 breeds to be completely reliable with children. Guess what one is ?
Either way don't blame the breed, your looking at the wrong end of the lead.”
by dkkat50
Friday, March 22 2013, 1:46PM
“Why are any dogs allowed on the beach, where we have holidays makers with young children.
I watched as one persons dog was allowed to approach a young child building a sancastle,
the dog then kicked and then did a dirty on it , the owner stood watching with a smirk on their face ,I am fed up with dog owners and the problems they cause. I love animals but some dog owners are worse than animals. They should not be allowed in public place if they are not able to keep them under control.”
by Anthony1
Friday, March 22 2013, 12:29PM
“The police say that they cannot do anything about "dog on dog" attacks. They are very quick to jump on people who carry sticks big enough to stop these attacks. The lady was bitten by the dog, why didn't our useless police act on that ? There were plenty of witnesses around. Our little dog is exercised on Preston beach every day but can rarely be let off her lead because of the presence of bull terriers loose on the beach, it is time the reign of terror by these dogs is stopped.”
by Despairing2
Friday, March 22 2013, 11:20AM
“Yet another convincing argument for ALL dogs to be kept on a lead, at all times, when out in public.”
by bethneyhoe
Friday, March 22 2013, 10:38AM
“What you need to understand is that there is so many criminals and addicts living in flats in Torquay that you need a big agressive dog as a burglar alarm. There have been so many break ins on our street and the police dont do nothing so you got to do it yourself int ya.”
by spindleshanks
Friday, March 22 2013, 10:29AM
“Dog-on-dog attack with owner suffering bites! What a joke -" without the help of the bull terrier's owner Sammy wouldn't be here". How about "if the bull terrier's owner didn't give his vicious dog to a bunch of women to exercise, Sammy wouldn't have been attacked in the first place"?
All other dog walkers around Preston beach had better watch out in the meantime as no doubt this bull terrier will still be exercised off the lead and unmuzzled.”