On Wednesday 7th June my Mum was walking her two whippets and my Jack Russell Terrier ‘Poppy’ along the old railway lines in Newton Aycliffe around 1.30pm, when a large German Shepherd dog approached them. This dog was off the lead and the owner had no control whatsoever, and was frantically shouting at the dog by name, but it wouldn’t listen and proceeded to chase her young whippet who was so scared she ran all the way home to Rowan Place (over a busy road near the train station). The German Shepherd then chased the other whippet all the way home. My poor Mum didn’t know where her dogs were, if they had been mauled, ran over/or killed! The big dog returned snarling and growling, and my Mum was terrified it was going to attack her. She shouted it off and tried to ward it off using her dog lead. – it then grabbed my little Jack Russel (still on her lead) by the neck.
The man shouted at my Mum and threatened to set his other German Shepherd dog on her. My dog needed surgery to her neck and due to the nature of the injury has a very high risk of infection requiring further surgery. We are all really upset and my Mum’s dogs are terrified to go outside. The impact was devastating on my son who is sitting GCSE Exams and couldn’t sleep the night of the attack. The Police are currently dealing with the incident and even though this is a “first reported” attack we are hopeful of bringing this man to justice as three separate crimes have been committed.
I would ask readers that should anything happen to you or your dogs where you feel that they, or you are in danger of being attacked, please report it to the police on 101. Even if there is no injuries the police will keep a record and I have had several people message me who have said similar things have happened. Had these incidents been reported to the police then that would have meant that this wasn’t a first offence and would have been easier for me to get justice for our dogs and family. Samantha Mitchell
