WARNING to dog-owners after attacks in Chorley

The RSPCA is reminding people they have a legal responsibility to keep their dogs under control after a number of reported incidents at Tatton Recreation Ground, Chorley, and Rivington Pike, Rivington.

A much-loved family dog was left needing surgery after a reported rottweiler attack at Rivington Pike on Saturday.

Emma Baines, 27, said she was walking her patterdale terrier Dory when the rottweiler, which was not on a lead, got hold of her and started ‘biting and clawing at her’.

Emma said: “It was the most scared I have ever been in my entire life.

“The owner of the dog picked Dory up and the rottweiler started jumping up and managed to get hold of her bottom and started biting her.

“We were all screaming.”

She then said a woman and her dog came walking down the path and she managed to get hold of the rottweiler and put a chain around its neck, before the owner spoke with them and walked away with his dog.

Emma added: “When we finally got away, we put Dory down and she was just bleeding everywhere and there were claw marks along her body.

“Her heart was beating so fast, she was frantic.

“She was bleeding a lot and there were very open wounds.

“I know it could have been a lot worse, but this experience has been engraved on my mind - it’s such a horrible thing.”

Emma said she is now campaigning to raise awareness about these kinds of attacks to make sure owners are in control of their dogs.

An RSCPA spokesman said: “Owners have a legal responsibility to ensure their dogs are under control at all times.

“If you are concerned about your dog’s behaviour you should seek expert advice.

“It is important to get your pet checked by a vet first to rule out any form of illness or injury that could be causing the issue. Your vet can then refer you to a behaviour expert.

“Owners should try to avoid exercising their dog in places, or at times of day, where they will come across other dogs, and avoid situations that make them scared.

“Exercise is really important though, so owners need to ensure their pet still gets enough.”

This attack follows another incident in which a dog was left needing more than 100 stitches after it was reportedly attacked in Tatton Recreation Ground.

Bryan Campbell, 44, from Chorley, was in the park with his two dogs and his seven-year-old son and friends on Saturday, July 10.

He said his collie cross, Sammi, was off her lead walking near Tatton Community Centre when she came across an American bulldog.

Bryan said the owner of the dog was struggling to stay in control of his dog, which had reared up towards Sammi.

Bryan said: “The dog got hold of Sammi and pulled her towards the path whilst biting her.

“My dog was bleeding quite heavily from her neck.

“My son and his friends were distraught.

“I’m absolutely gutted about it all.

“I have noticed a really big change in both my dogs since this incident, and I’m constantly looking over my shoulder.

“The amount of support I have had from social media has been overwhelming, and the park warden has been amazing in helping me to deal with what happened.”

Both of these incidents were confirmed as reported by Lancashire Police.

A force spokesman said: “We appreciate that incidents of a dog attacking another pet can be extremely upsetting and we take reports of this nature seriously.

“We would advise anyone whose pet is attacked by a dog to contact us.”

For more information about understanding dog behaviour, visit www.rspca.org.uk/dogs.