Darwen woman's horror as pet shih tzu savaged to death in street by ‘pitbull’ (From Blackburn Citizen)
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Darwen woman's horror as pet shih tzu savaged to death in street by ‘pitbull’
11:36am Friday 21st September 2012 in Darwen
By Catherine Pye, Health reporter
A DOG owner watched in horror as her pet was savaged to death by a pitbull-type terrier.
Tracey Dale, 43, said she ‘can’t stop crying’ after 12-year-old shih tzu Benji was ‘ripped apart’ during the attack outside a Darwen chip shop.
Police said that although the attacking dog was a pitbull type, it is not a banned breed, and they cannot enforce any action against the owner.
Ms Dale stopped at the London Terrace Chippie while taking Benji for a walk at 5.30pm last Thursday.
After tying him up, she was queuing only a few yards away when the black and white terrier, which didn’t have a lead and collar, locked its jaws around Benji’s throat.
Ms Dale, who has grown up children, said: “I’’ve had him since he was an eight-week-old pup and he was like a child to me.
“I was in the queue for chips when I heard some yelping, and the man behind the counter said that my dog was being attacked.
“I ran out and was trying to prize the other dog off Benji, but his jaws were locked.
“Then other people came out and were trying to beat the dog with a stick. It was frantic.
“Then the other dog managed to pull Benji off his lead and ran away with him down the road.
“A girl went after them and found Benji. She told me he wasn’t dead, and drove me to the nearest vets.
“I held him in my arms and I knew he was slipping away. He had a big chunk missing out of his neck and there was blood all over.
“When we got to Abbeydale vets in Railway Road, I collapsed.
"When I came round a few minutes later the vet said to me that he was very badly injured and the kindest thing to do would be to put him to sleep.”
Ms Dale, of Atlas Road, Darwen, added: “It’s devastating to see that happen. Benji was such a placid dog. You could take food out of his mouth and he wouldn’t care.
“I was in the wrong place at the wrong time, and it’s frightening to think that it could have been a child that was attacked.”
Mrs Dale reported the incident to Darwen police station, but was at first wrongly told it was a matter for the borough’s dog warden.
However, police have since confirmed that after a separate telephone call from a witness, an officer was dispatched to trace the owner of the attacking dog.
Police said she told them the animal had escaped and, in accordance with their advice, she had agreed to put the dog down.
A police spokeswoman said: “Our role is to speak to the owner and give them advice on what to do, such as to destroy the dog, or to make sure it is always kept on a lead and muzzled. We have to give them a chance to put it right, but if we are not happy, we can go down the court route.”
Comments(36)
jabrindle
says...
12:42pm Fri 21 Sep 12
I feel so sorry for the lady it will take a long time to get over this.
speedswift
says...
12:52pm Fri 21 Sep 12
MerlinTheVoiceofReason2
says...
1:42pm Fri 21 Sep 12
LittleMissKc wrote:Once again, we see an irresponsible dog owner getting away with it. Clearly, she couldn't afford to keep the dog or was unable to control it, if she was giving it away on Facebook. It sounds to me as if she has let the dog loose on purpose, without any identifying features like a collar or muzzle, hoping it will be taken in by someone else (and God only knows what specimens might fancy having this type of dog). We are repeatedly told, "it's not the breed of the dog to blame, it's all down to how the owners train them". Well, if that is the case, then she is responsible for how her dog behaves and she ought to be held to account. Something drastic needs to be done about dangerous dogs, there's far too much of these incidents - enough is enough. We need to widen the number of dangerous breeds and ban them, licence other potentially dangerous breeds and have a hefty licence fee and be able to make dog owners resonsible for their dogs - i.e. face hefty fines and/ or prison if the dog injures or kills another pet or human being.
The owner was at first, attempting to give the dog away for free on Facebook, claiming that it was gentle! I hope that the thing has been destroyed now, as promised.
jjdsplace
says...
2:07pm Fri 21 Sep 12
But why do dogs always get made out to be evil yes some dogs will attack other dogs but that dosent mean children are at risk. and banning dangerous breeds there is no such thing it is down to the individual not the breed.
MerlinTheVoiceofReason2
says...
2:29pm Fri 21 Sep 12
jjdsplace wrote:It was only a matter of time before someone posted this line of argument but it is flawed. Rarely, if ever, do you read about Yorkshire terriers, poodles, chiwawas, border collies, westies (and so on), savaging, mauling and killing other dogs, adults or children. It is nearly always the same breeds. Yes, the owners are partly to blame for the way in which they train (or don't train) their dogs and how well they look after them. But the defence of all dogs you make simply doesn't wash - some breeds of dog have been bred to be more dangerous than others.
firstly I find it auful that this has happened.that is
But why do dogs always get made out to be evil yes some dogs will attack other dogs but that dosent mean children are at risk. and banning dangerous breeds there is no such thing it is down to the individual not the breed.
MerlinTheVoiceofReason2
says...
2:31pm Fri 21 Sep 12
jjdsplace wrote:I forgot to ask - are you saying it is okay for one dog to savage another as long as it doesn't harm a child? And there should be no repercussions for the owner? Please comment.
firstly I find it auful that this has happened.that is
But why do dogs always get made out to be evil yes some dogs will attack other dogs but that dosent mean children are at risk. and banning dangerous breeds there is no such thing it is down to the individual not the breed.
MerlinTheVoiceofReason2
says...
2:36pm Fri 21 Sep 12
jjdsplace
says...
2:39pm Fri 21 Sep 12
MerlinTheVoiceofReasNot at all and owners are the ones who should be held responsible. i have had my present staff now for 6 years and only i know her temperment so i know kids can jump all over her withount any problems but i also know to put her on a lead when around other dogs because she can be defensive so if i have her off her lead or not secure and she attackes a dog then i should be fully made at fault and take all repercussions
on2 wrote:
jjdsplace wrote:I forgot to ask - are you saying it is okay for one dog to savage another as long as it doesn't harm a child? And there should be no repercussions for the owner? Please comment.
firstly I find it auful that this has happened.that is
But why do dogs always get made out to be evil yes some dogs will attack other dogs but that dosent mean children are at risk. and banning dangerous breeds there is no such thing it is down to the individual not the breed.
LittleMissKc
says...
2:52pm Fri 21 Sep 12
MerlinTheVoiceofReasIt was right after the attack took place that the dog was offered for free on Facebook. The lady was clearly trying to palm the dog off onto somebody else without a second thought as to what could happen. Can you imagine if a mother with small children had taken the dog in believing it to be of good nature..
on2 wrote:
LittleMissKc wrote:Once again, we see an irresponsible dog owner getting away with it. Clearly, she couldn't afford to keep the dog or was unable to control it, if she was giving it away on Facebook. It sounds to me as if she has let the dog loose on purpose, without any identifying features like a collar or muzzle, hoping it will be taken in by someone else (and God only knows what specimens might fancy having this type of dog). We are repeatedly told, "it's not the breed of the dog to blame, it's all down to how the owners train them". Well, if that is the case, then she is responsible for how her dog behaves and she ought to be held to account. Something drastic needs to be done about dangerous dogs, there's far too much of these incidents - enough is enough. We need to widen the number of dangerous breeds and ban them, licence other potentially dangerous breeds and have a hefty licence fee and be able to make dog owners resonsible for their dogs - i.e. face hefty fines and/ or prison if the dog injures or kills another pet or human being.
The owner was at first, attempting to give the dog away for free on Facebook, claiming that it was gentle! I hope that the thing has been destroyed now, as promised.
cloud99
says...
2:59pm Fri 21 Sep 12
MerlinTheVoiceofReasIt's is terrible what has happened to this woman's poor dog, and agree 100%, the attacking dog's owner should be prosecuted.
on2 wrote:
jjdsplace wrote:It was only a matter of time before someone posted this line of argument but it is flawed. Rarely, if ever, do you read about Yorkshire terriers, poodles, chiwawas, border collies, westies (and so on), savaging, mauling and killing other dogs, adults or children. It is nearly always the same breeds. Yes, the owners are partly to blame for the way in which they train (or don't train) their dogs and how well they look after them. But the defence of all dogs you make simply doesn't wash - some breeds of dog have been bred to be more dangerous than others.
firstly I find it auful that this has happened.that is
But why do dogs always get made out to be evil yes some dogs will attack other dogs but that dosent mean children are at risk. and banning dangerous breeds there is no such thing it is down to the individual not the breed.
The only reason we hear about pitbull type dogs attacking and killing and not other breeds is because of the media, and the irresponsible owners of pitbull type dogs.
Any dog is capable of attacking or killing if it is either provoked or trained to do that sort of thing.
I used to live overseas and owned a red nose pitbull and had 2 children under the age of 3. Because i was a responsible owner, and trained my dog the right way, he was a big softie. On a couple of occasions when he did escape (digging under the 6ft high fence), he was found around the corner playing with other dogs.
goz
says...
3:14pm Fri 21 Sep 12
cloud99 wrote:Spot on, i've also had a pitbull greyhound that was bred to work, police visited my house and found my three year old led on the floor watching TV with her elbows leaning on the dog. The copper said show me the pitbull and when I pointed to her he said shes been reported as a dangerous dog by a neighbour, needless to say she stayed and the copper said she was fine. She had been trained to a good standard like ALL dogs should be .
MerlinTheVoiceofReasIt's is terrible what has happened to this woman's poor dog, and agree 100%, the attacking dog's owner should be prosecuted.
on2 wrote:
jjdsplace wrote:It was only a matter of time before someone posted this line of argument but it is flawed. Rarely, if ever, do you read about Yorkshire terriers, poodles, chiwawas, border collies, westies (and so on), savaging, mauling and killing other dogs, adults or children. It is nearly always the same breeds. Yes, the owners are partly to blame for the way in which they train (or don't train) their dogs and how well they look after them. But the defence of all dogs you make simply doesn't wash - some breeds of dog have been bred to be more dangerous than others.
firstly I find it auful that this has happened.that is
But why do dogs always get made out to be evil yes some dogs will attack other dogs but that dosent mean children are at risk. and banning dangerous breeds there is no such thing it is down to the individual not the breed.
The only reason we hear about pitbull type dogs attacking and killing and not other breeds is because of the media, and the irresponsible owners of pitbull type dogs.
Any dog is capable of attacking or killing if it is either provoked or trained to do that sort of thing.
I used to live overseas and owned a red nose pitbull and had 2 children under the age of 3. Because i was a responsible owner, and trained my dog the right way, he was a big softie. On a couple of occasions when he did escape (digging under the 6ft high fence), he was found around the corner playing with other dogs.
HILLBILLYBOB
says...
3:40pm Fri 21 Sep 12
There were children present at the incident and it just a miracle that it didnt turn on them.
The Shih Zu was innocently tethered on its lead to a post, but it could quite of easily been anyone else that was passing.
To offer the Pitbull on facebook indicates that the owner knew she was in hot water, but it has to be commended that she paid the full vet's bill for the poor Shih Zu to be put down.
retired one
says...
4:02pm Fri 21 Sep 12
My thoughts are with the owner of this Shih Tzu.
Ragnarok
says...
4:11pm Fri 21 Sep 12
Ragnarok
says...
4:15pm Fri 21 Sep 12
district01 wrote:My thoughts exactly! If this freak of nature had attacked MY dog,I would have taken ANY responsibility from the Police,cut off it's head and presented it to the owner...Why is there ALWAYS a reason for the Police NOT to get involved?!
"Police said that although the attacking dog was a pitbull type, it is not a banned breed, and they cannot enforce any action against the owner."
WHY?
brfcianbrfc
says...
4:50pm Fri 21 Sep 12
miss goodygoody
says...
5:04pm Fri 21 Sep 12
miss goodygoody
says...
5:04pm Fri 21 Sep 12
vanmanstan
says...
5:24pm Fri 21 Sep 12
HILLBILLYBOB wrote:its english bull terrier to be correct.
I was unfortunate to witness this incident and the dog was evil during the attack. Once the dog had got a taste for blood there was no way it was going to let go. The owner of the English Pitbull wasnt even are that the dog had escaped from her house, and blamed a visitor for leaving the door open. There were children present at the incident and it just a miracle that it didnt turn on them. The Shih Zu was innocently tethered on its lead to a post, but it could quite of easily been anyone else that was passing. To offer the Pitbull on facebook indicates that the owner knew she was in hot water, but it has to be commended that she paid the full vet's bill for the poor Shih Zu to be put down.
formerover
says...
5:39pm Fri 21 Sep 12
Michael@ClitheroeSince58
says...
5:45pm Fri 21 Sep 12
RUinsane
says...
6:46pm Fri 21 Sep 12
Status dogs should not be allowed in towns. Neither should blue tatoos and trackies either.
enki jr
says...
9:44pm Fri 21 Sep 12
in that certain breeds have certain traits
and behaviour patterns, and when they come together there will be chaos...
(this applies to different breeds of men too)
this is why the all dogs on leads law was made, and the onus is on the OWNERs regarding the chaos caused and can face serious charges for ignorantly allowing their mutts to roam freely,one also has the right to kill any animal which attacks any third party and recover all costs from the owner
i also find treating a dog like a child is so absurd as if the human mindset was born to be subservient to lesser beings..how weak and lily livered...
they say that dog is mans best freind ...
utter **** ... if dogs were made aware of this reality then they would simply walk out the door and not come back...period.
kakaimacgul
says...
12:55am Sat 22 Sep 12
Violet432
says...
10:41am Sat 22 Sep 12
slimitus
says...
1:02pm Sat 22 Sep 12
darwenTower
says...
1:39pm Sat 22 Sep 12
cloud99 wrote:I agree.
MerlinTheVoiceofReasIt's is terrible what has happened to this woman's poor dog, and agree 100%, the attacking dog's owner should be prosecuted.
on2 wrote:
jjdsplace wrote:It was only a matter of time before someone posted this line of argument but it is flawed. Rarely, if ever, do you read about Yorkshire terriers, poodles, chiwawas, border collies, westies (and so on), savaging, mauling and killing other dogs, adults or children. It is nearly always the same breeds. Yes, the owners are partly to blame for the way in which they train (or don't train) their dogs and how well they look after them. But the defence of all dogs you make simply doesn't wash - some breeds of dog have been bred to be more dangerous than others.
firstly I find it auful that this has happened.that is
But why do dogs always get made out to be evil yes some dogs will attack other dogs but that dosent mean children are at risk. and banning dangerous breeds there is no such thing it is down to the individual not the breed.
The only reason we hear about pitbull type dogs attacking and killing and not other breeds is because of the media, and the irresponsible owners of pitbull type dogs.
Any dog is capable of attacking or killing if it is either provoked or trained to do that sort of thing.
I used to live overseas and owned a red nose pitbull and had 2 children under the age of 3. Because i was a responsible owner, and trained my dog the right way, he was a big softie. On a couple of occasions when he did escape (digging under the 6ft high fence), he was found around the corner playing with other dogs.
All the talk about banning certain breeds of dog, it's not the breed at fault, its the idiots who own them.
It doesn't matter what sort of dog the idiots have, if a certain breed becomes popular among them, as it will because they are incapable of independent thought, then that breed will become a 'problem'.
So let us stop idiots from owning dogs and certainly from breeding them.
Dogs need socialising and training from a young age, it isn't enough to just let it drag you to the off licence in your pajamas in the morning then sit dossing in the house all day.
vanmanstan
says...
1:48pm Sat 22 Sep 12
slimitus wrote:it will stop when you stop talking crap.
Dogs should be on a **** lead, nothing more nothing less. If a dog savages another dog and that dog isn't on a lead, there should be a penalty against the owner and seeing as the dog in question killed another dog, it should be destroyed or even trained against this kind of thing. I can't believe some comments saying it was fine, its not fine and nor will it ever be. Continue to allow this behaviour and we will see more and more of this happen. What's next? children? adults ?. I wonder when it will stop?
vanmanstan
says...
1:51pm Sat 22 Sep 12
Violet432 wrote:? dogs dont like cats. simple. its nature. so if you beleve in reincarnation, hope your a dog and not a cat. and get a life, it was some manky cat that spent every night shittting in peoples gardens and killing little defenceless garden birds so it got all it deserved.
I witnessed a Staffordshire bull terrier rip a cat to bits 22 years ago when I was 14. It was absolutly horrific and there was absolutely nothing I could do to intervene. Everytime I read a story it never fails to upset me!
vanmanstan
says...
1:52pm Sat 22 Sep 12
kakaimacgul wrote:id have dug a hole for a tenner thus saving £190
This woman has paid £200 to have her dog cremated, the owners of the dog that attacked it should be so ashamed and embarrassed that they should pay her every last penny of that, absolute disgrace, I saw the incident from my bedroom window and it was HORRIFIC! If that had happened to one of my cats or my dog I would have killed the dog myself (and I'm a vegetarian)
vanmanstan
says...
1:54pm Sat 22 Sep 12
HILLBILLYBOB wrote:puts a whole new meaning to a chippy takeaway ! woof woof
I was unfortunate to witness this incident and the dog was evil during the attack. Once the dog had got a taste for blood there was no way it was going to let go. The owner of the English Pitbull wasnt even are that the dog had escaped from her house, and blamed a visitor for leaving the door open. There were children present at the incident and it just a miracle that it didnt turn on them. The Shih Zu was innocently tethered on its lead to a post, but it could quite of easily been anyone else that was passing. To offer the Pitbull on facebook indicates that the owner knew she was in hot water, but it has to be commended that she paid the full vet's bill for the poor Shih Zu to be put down.
Darwen Malc
says...
4:12pm Sat 22 Sep 12
HILLBILLYBOB
says...
11:58pm Sat 22 Sep 12
hql
says...
7:13am Sun 23 Sep 12
All pet dogs no matter how well trained have the potential to turn, they are animals and no matt how much we project our own thoughts ("oh he is such a loving dog, he loves kids, he will never bite" etc.) we can only GUESS what is going on in their heads - anyone who says they "know" their dog and how it is thinking is talking crap finally.
The breed is irrelevant, only the degree of damage potential is influenced by breed.
"he doesn't need the lead - he s so well trained" - ****. By definition ANY DOG NOT ON A LEAD IS NOT UNDER CONTROL. one main reason for letting the dog run about off the lead is so the owner does not have to pick up its turd. ("it was in the bushes - I didn't see it")
Every dog should be chipped and every dog should be on a lead at ALL TIMES WHEN OUTSIDE THE OWNERS PRIVATE DOMAIN - there can be no excuse.
Make law and enforce it.
cisseemessee
says...
4:55pm Fri 28 Sep 12
district01 says...
11:47am Fri 21 Sep 12
WHY?