Small dog attacked from behind on Hightown beach

When Colin Moran took his small Jack Russel out for a walk on Hightown beach, he got more than he bargained for when his dog, a Jack Russell named Sparky, was attacked from behind with no warning whatsoever by two larger dogs.

The dog owner was out with his two children and also two black dogs that were running loose, not on leads and no muzzles on. Colin said: " I had to physically lift my jack Russell up in the air to escape but one of the dogs latched on to her with their teeth, I had to kick the dog off and then the other dog jumped up to bite her, so again, I kicked that one off for our protection."

Colin went on to say: "The kids didn't have a chance to keep their dogs under control, then the dogs owner showed up, he said: "what can I say, I apologise." I shouted back at him to control them and get them on a lead!"

This has obviously traumatised both the dog and the owner.Colin said: "Sparky was shaking with fear and was cowering in her bed. She won't let us touch her back leg, she even flinches now when I try to stroke her." "Sparky goes on the beach most days, it's her life.She will be okay, her grandad, Dave the dog whisperer will take her to the beach and he will rebuild her confidence.

Sparky on a happy day loving the beach.

Top Photo: Sparky after the attack

Sadly, this happens all too often in our Bubble. Dog owners reading this, if you know that your dog is liable to attack other dogs, please keep them on a lead and put a muzzle on them. This is also for your protection, because you are responsible for the animal and can be prosecuted. It’s against the law to let a dog be dangerously out of control anywhere, such as: in a public place, in a private place, eg; a neighbour’s house or garden, in the owner’s home. The law applies to all dogs.

Your dog is considered dangerously out of control if it: Injures someone, makes someone worried that it might injure them. A court could also decide that your dog is dangerously out of control if either of the following apply: It attacks someone’s animal, the owner of an animal thinks they could be injured if they tried to stop your dog attacking their animal. A farmer is allowed to kill your dog if it’s worrying their livestock.

If another dog attacks your dog, and particularly if you fear that it will injure you if you attempt to stop the attack, it may be that the owner of the other dog is guilty of a failure to control their pet. A court will be able to make a decision on the circumstances surrounding the attack and whether or not an offence was committed.

It is illegal for a dog to be dangerously out of control anywhere, including in public and private spaces and even in the dog owner's own home, so the location of the incident is likely to be irrelevant if your dog has been attacked.

The punishment for allowing a dog to be dangerously out of control can be any combination of the following: A fine of up to £5,000 - A jail sentence of up to 6 months - Destruction of the offending dog - A ban on future dog ownership.

You can also take the other dog's owner to court to claim back any veterinary bills you have had to pay as a result of the attack. If a dog is allowed to injure a guide dog, the owner can be sentenced to up to 3 years in jail.

So, be a responsible dog owner, keep it on a lead and put a muzzle on it if you know your dog could attack other animals.