After a horrific stroll that resulted in life-threatening injuries for his dog, a man has advised dog owners to consider using a leash. Shane Dean of Denton Holme, Carlisle, said he was walking the family’s one-year-old Pomeranian, Pepper, when another dog attacked it at the start of the last lockdown.
Shane admits thinking at first that a dog that had began racing over him, his niece, and Pepper was simply being nice until he saw him “swinging” Pepper around the waist.
“I separated them and grabbed up my dog.” My dog was breathing unusually, and when I took my hand from her tummy, it was covered with blood.
“After checking Pepper, The vet advised that she needed surgery – life-saving surgery – and that she may pass away tonight if it wasn’t done right away.”
Shane was left to comfort his mother, expecting the worst, until they received another call from the vets, informing them that Pepper had unexpectedly recovered.
The number of dog attacks in Cumbria has remained at over 200 over three years, according to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request made by the News and Star to Cumbria Police. A dog attack is defined as an owner or person in charge allowing “a dog to be dangerously out of control in any place (whether or not in a public place) injuring any person or assistance dog.”
Between October 2018 and September 2019, Cumbria Police received 222 reports of dog attacks, 214 reports from October 2019 to September 2020, and 223 reports from October 2020 to September 2021.
Dr Samantha Gaines, a dog care expert with the RSPCA, said:
“Dogs bite for a variety of reasons, including an underlying sickness or injury, or fear of specific situations.
“It’s also crucial to realize that every dog, regardless of breed, size, or history, has the ability to act aggressively and inflict damage if it’s scared, unhappy, or in pain.”
“Any dog owner who is concerned about their pet’s behavior should consult their veterinarian or a clinical animal behaviorist.”
“If anybody has any concerns over a dangerous dog, we encourage them to contact us on 999 in an emergency and 101 in a non-emergency, and to seek medical advice if bitten,” a spokesperson for Cumbria Police said.
