Rottweilers mauled Yorkshire Terrier 'like a rag doll'
A TINY terrier is lucky to be alive after being mauled by three rottweilers.
Four-year-old Cooper was left with five deep gashes across his body and needing laser treatment to help heal his bruised lungs following the attack.
Owner David Lakin was walking the Teacup Yorkshire Terrier in fields at Staffordshire University's College Road Campus on Saturday morning when the incident happened.
The 42-year-old, of The Avenue, Harpfields, said: "I was with a group of friends and our other dog, Ruby, who is a labrador, when these rottweilers came out of nowhere.
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"They went straight for Cooper and he couldn't run off or anything.
"They were throwing him around like a rag doll and we tried to get the dogs off by kicking them but they just wouldn't let go, it was horrific.
"I eventually picked Cooper up and the dogs started to jump up at me. It was quite frightening."
Mr Lakin took Cooper to Charter Vets, in Newcastle, where he was told the pet was lucky to be alive.
He claims staff told him Cooper's lungs were just a centimetre away from being punctured.
The dog received laser treatment on Monday and is due to undertake two more sessions this week.
It is hoped the treatment – which is estimated to cost around £300 – will encourage the dog's bruised lungs to heal.
Mr Lakin's wife, Maxine, who is also aged 42, said: "David feared Cooper was going to die.
"It happened so quickly. The dogs came out of nowhere. When he told me I was very frightened.
"The first thing I thought about was that those dogs could attack a child. They are dangerous.
"They had no collars on or any leads so God only knows what they could have done."
The dogs ran off when they were called by their owner, who is believed to live in the Shelton area.
Mrs Lakin added: "We have seen these dogs before but nothing like this has ever happened. They saw Ruby and didn't bother with her. They obviously targeted Cooper because he is so small.
"We haven't been back to the field since and I don't think we will. I just hope that something can be done to stop this from happening again.
"Cooper hasn't been the same since the attack. He is very nervous now. He won't get off my knee and he is very lethargic.
"Ruby has been affected by it too. She has gone really shy."
Mr and Mrs Lakin reported the attack to officers at Staffordshire Police who declined to comment.
Comments
by THETROJON
Wednesday, December 12 2012, 4:06PM
“Having owned dogs..and fostered dogs for over 20yrs... have to say there are more dangerous owners than dangerous dogs! Those Rotties may have been sweetness and light on their leads..and perhaps great family pets...but let loose..totally out of control. Having been the victim of an attack on our spaniel by a staffie off a lead ..Our Spaniel and Yorkie were on leads... the staffie was apparently great with his family including 3 young children...but hated other dogs... should never have been let off his lead..and we had a stream of abuse because we said so. Perhaps if all dogs were muzzled no matter what the size... from yorkies to wolfhounds...we could all enjoy country walks and our dogs can have a good run without other owners being in fear. Glad to see he survived and hope the owner of the dogs had a wake up call!”
by Stellified
Wednesday, December 12 2012, 3:18PM
“Totally Agree Scarlett74, your comments are spot on. I come across irresponsible dog owners letting their dogs run free on a daily basis, approaching and barking at me and my dog - which also happens to be an extremely mild mannered Rottie which i always keep on a lead. On many occasions my wife has had to physically stop these dogs from approaching ours. If this had been the other way round and it was my Rottie running free I'm sure it would be all over the local press. By the way, the majority of these dogs are small 'Jack Russell/Spaniel types'. If you cannot control the dogs then get them on a lead, its that simple.”
by Scarlett74
Monday, December 10 2012, 3:45PM
“I do wonder if this had been three jack russels or three labradors, would it have been reported. I didn't have my rottweiler as a 'Trophy Dog', I fell in love with the faithfulness and intelligence of the breed and of course the rottie grin. I have been a rottweiler owner for 9 years and have never had an incident of aggression towards other dogs or people, that said, I would never allow any of my dogs to be off the lead in public places. Infact, my rottie was attacked by a yorkie that bit her in the face and went through her lip on her first ever walk! I have always said that all dogs should be licensed, micro chipped and have passports like horses do. Also, breeders should be licensed, to try to help curb back street breeders. Another sad case of bad rottie owners giving the rest of us a bad name!”
by SmellySock
Thursday, December 06 2012, 12:29AM
“staffs police declined to comment,,why is it there dogs? these morons with trophy dogs ought to be put down total cowards”
by arthurheath1
Wednesday, December 05 2012, 6:47PM
“Yes Stoke and Vale, Staffordshire Police declined to comment on this and the dog owner from SHELTON probably won't comment either because it's not positive news is it?”
by nelsonl
Wednesday, December 05 2012, 6:25PM
“Appalling 3 big dogs are off their leads and allowed to do this, has the owner been caught and prosecuted?
Poor Cooper :(... Hope he recovers fully....”
by anonBucknall
Wednesday, December 05 2012, 2:52PM
“A similar thing happened to our little dog, it's very upsetting. We hope he makes a speedy recovery. I agree Staffordshire Police are useless.”
by teimor1985
Wednesday, December 05 2012, 12:05PM
“Poor Cooper, hope he gets well soon”
by JohnStoke
Wednesday, December 05 2012, 10:56AM
“I had a Yorkie dog for nearly 17 years. You have to be very careful when you take them to open spaces because some large dogs see them as something to be hunted. On at least three occasions I avoided a serious attack because I had kept my dog on a long lead and was able to protect her before the dogs got to her. Ideally all dogs should be kept under control at all times but this is the real world and if other dogs are out of control at least you are able to protect yours.”
by warren-lloyd
Wednesday, December 05 2012, 10:20AM
“Disgusting.
I hope Cooper gets well soon, nice little dog by the looks of it.”