Widower devastated after Staffie mauled his Yorkshire terrier in parkland
A WIDOWER has been left devastated after his dog died following an attack by a Staffordshire bull terrier.
Philip Cuthbert was horrified when his nine-year-old toy Yorkshire terrier Oliver was set upon in parkland near his Harriseahead home.
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Philip Cuthbert
Despite emergency surgery Oliver's condition deteriorated and he died just over a week after the attack.
Mr Cuthbert is now appealing to dog owners to keep their pets under control so it does not happen to another dog.
The 57-year-old said: "We were walking in the field, Oliver wasn't on a lead but he was so timid, if another dog came over to him he would just lie on his back.
"Then this Staffie came out of nowhere and attacked him, then ran off. It wasn't on a lead.
"Oliver had a wound underneath him and a punctured lung. I took him to the emergency vets and he spent all afternoon in theatre."
Following the August 8 attack, Oliver seemed to be on the mend, and was allowed home three days later.
Mr Cuthbert, of Laurel Drive, said: "He seemed all right and I thought he was going to be OK.
"But the stress was too much and he wasn't breathing right. He just couldn't take any more and he passed away in my arms at home."
As well as losing his faithful friend, Mr Cuthbert has a £650 vet bill.
"It's a lot of money but it's not that I'm upset about. I lost my wife six years ago and Oliver was there for me then, he was like my best friend and went everywhere with me.
"I'm so upset to lose him, I'm not eating or sleeping right. The house is empty without him."
After Oliver died on August 16, the police and a Newcastle Borough Council dog warden visited the Staffordshire bull terrier's owner and advised him to keep his dog on a lead and muzzled when outside.
But Mr Cuthbert said: "Nobody dares go to the park with their dogs now in case it happens again. It could even be a child next time.
"A friend of mine has a Staffordshire bull terrier and it's a beautiful dog, it wouldn't hurt a fly. It's not the dog's fault, it's how they have been brought up."
A Staffordshire Police spokesman said: "A Police Community Support Officer and a council dog warden visited the injured party, and also spoke to the owner of the Staffordshire bull terrier.
"The owner was given advice that his dog should be muzzled and on a lead when outside his home."
Newcastle Borough Council confirmed a dog warden had visited the Staffordshire bull terrier's owner and given him advice.
If the advice is ignored and the owner is found to have a dangerous animal which is out of control, the police can take action.
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by Susan Berrisford, stoke
Monday, January 24 2011, 7:37PM
“again another bad report for one of the softies dogs around it isnt the dogs that should be muzzled its the owners who should be veted to own a dog. I have the softies staff in the world everyone in my street knows him and loves him and have even brought dogs because of him, yet the small yappie dogs always have a go at him so lets leave the staffies alone especially as i look at him now all cuddled up with my cats!”
by heidi goat, bentilee
Friday, August 27 2010, 7:12PM
“this is a disgusting story if the owner has any conciense at all he should foot the vets bill its the least he could do .i hope this gentelman feels a bit better soon .i wish him well”
by BB, Staffs
Thursday, August 26 2010, 8:43PM
“It doesn't matter what dog it is ,if you get a bad ,irresponsible owner then you will get a bad and irresponsible dog. I'm a dog owner and yes I agree dogs should be on leads but only if there are other dogs around. I always put my dogs back on the leads, not because my dogs will attack but because I don't know how other dogs will react to my dogs. All my dogs are big softies and have never growled or even gone for another dog or person.
Dawn as for putting muzzle on ALL dogs WHY ? You make it sound as if every dog is aggressive and needs to be muzzled, I can just see the working dog for the blind with a muzzle or even a police dog / drugs sniffer dog working with a muzzle.
A dog is what you make it and some owners do want the macho image with the fighting dog, it's not the dogs fault they have numpties for owner.”
by BB, Staffs
Thursday, August 26 2010, 8:42PM
“It doesn't matter what dog it is ,if you get a bad ,irresponsible owner then you will get a bad and irresponsible dog. I'm a dog owner and yes I agree dogs should be on leads but only if there are other dogs around. I always put my dogs back on the leads, not because my dogs will attack but because I don't know how other dogs will react to my dogs. All my dogs are big softies and have never growled or even gone for another dog or person.
Dawn as for putting muzzle on ALL dogs WHY ? You make it sound as if every dog is aggressive and needs to be muzzled, I can just see the working dog for the blind with a muzzle or even a police dog / drugs sniffer dog working with a muzzle.
A dog is what you make it and some owners do want the macho image with the fighting dog, it's not the dogs fault they have numpties for owner.”
by geoff, Telford
Thursday, August 26 2010, 8:07PM
“My personal view is that if a dog is out and needs a muzzle he shouldn't be out at all . I totally agree all dogs should be on Leads . Also how many times do you see signs at the seaside dogs not allowed on beaches and then you find them on there with there owners and the council turn a blind eye to them because they are locals . But you take your dog when on holiday and its a fine ..”