Family searching for justice after puppy mauled to death on first walk

1:14pm Tuesday 8th May 2012 in Leisure By Robert Fisk

Buddy bled to death after being savagely bitten on the throat Buddy bled to death after being savagely bitten on the throat

A DISTRAUGHT family is searching for justice after their beloved puppy was savagely bitten on the throat by another dog and bled to death during its first walk.

Ceri Game had almost reached home with her 14-week-old Chihuahua called Buddy when he was attacked by a Lurcher type dog at the corner of Queen’s Road and Beckenham Road, Beckenham.

Ms Game’s partner picked their dog up and sheltered him in his coat.

But there was nothing they could do and their pet died almost instantly.

Ms Game, 50, said: "It happened instantly because the dog was on one of those retractable leads and it just happened so quick.

"By the amount of blood there was I think he must have got him round the throat.

"I think he was dead in seconds of it happening.

"I was hysterical, to think something like that happened on his first time out, and I started blaming myself because if I had not taken him out, he might still be here.

"We took him straight to the vets in Foxgrove Road and they said there was nothing they could do."

Since the attack last Friday Ms Game’s partner has been walking around their area talking to dog walkers to see if they have seen the dog or the owner.

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The owners of The Viceroy, an Indian restaurant near to where the attack happened, say the man used to walk his animal at the same time each day but Ms Game says he has been lying low since it happened.

After a tip off from someone who said he lives in Clockhouse Road her son has been keeping a watch on the street.

But they have not had any luck finding the exact address.

Ms Game, of Queen’s Road, Beckenham, said: "I do not think for one moment they are going to come forward.

"He knew we were from round here and he did not try and come back on Saturday to try and find out the fate of the dog.

"A responsible dog owner would have tried to do something at least."

Buddy was bought by Ms Game’s son as a Mother’s Day gift to cheer her up because she has been having problems with her hips and blood circulation.

The office manager said: "It has just been horrific.

"He had taken over our lives and he had got into the habit of being awake a lot earlier than us and he used to cry outside my bedroom door before I’d wake up so we could have a little cuddle."

The family are now hoping a News Shopper reader will be able to identify the man concerned and report him to the police.

Ms Game says the dog owner was around 5ft 9in tall, balding with either grey or light blonde hair and was in his early to mid-40s and wearing a lumberjack checked shirt.

She said: "We cannot have closure until he is brought to justice."

Anyone who has any information should email rfisk@london.newsquest.co.uk

Comments(18)

lisainkent says...
2:08pm Tue 8 May 12

I have a little female Jack Russell and when we've had problems with other aggressive dogs has been Lurcher & Greyhound types and not the type you'd expect eg. Staffs or other so-called 'demon-dogs'.

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Linja says...
2:18pm Tue 8 May 12

All dogs should be on leads in public places and owners who do not do this should be fined and the dog taken away.

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Virtual-Monster says...
3:11pm Tue 8 May 12

Linja wrote:
All dogs should be on leads in public places and owners who do not do this should be fined and the dog taken away.
In Greenwich, dogs have to be on the lead except for when they are in certain 'dog friendly' parks or open spaces. Dog owners who ignore this law can face fines up to £1000. Maybe other boroughs should follow their lead (sorry for the pun) and introduce Dog Control Orders.

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Chrisbitz says...
6:54pm Tue 8 May 12

Poor, poor family. they must feel inconsolable.

Yet again, the irresponsible dog owners are spoiling it for everyone.

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lezelle says...
9:47pm Tue 8 May 12

So sad -poor little boy and his poor family .Those retractable leads do not give you any control on your dog , they are not meant for street walking - they are meant for use in open spaces for dogs who will not come back to their owners .Heartfelt condolences to Buddys people .

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the wall says...
10:48am Wed 9 May 12

Nothing wrong with retractable leads, it's all about how the lead is used. Bad workmen blame their tools.

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liljoe says...
2:01pm Wed 9 May 12

I have seen this guy in Beckenham High Street quite allot so do keep looking cos this is awful - I have a little dog and it terrifies me when A big dog comes near her. There are a few lurchers/greyhounds in Beckenham and a couple have had a go from across the road dont think I would run the risk of walking on the same side as people are so irresponsible - if a dog is not good with other dogs it should be the law that they wear a muzzle in public.

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Gavinp says...
9:37pm Wed 9 May 12

im also about in beckenham so will keep an eye out

shame the man couldnt get a photo?

any idea on the colour of lead or collar?

ps another reason to make all dogs liscensed

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Brook says...
12:20am Thu 10 May 12

The attacking dog probably thought the little dog was a rat or other prey. However, it should of been kept under control

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the wall says...
12:21pm Thu 10 May 12

Gavinp wrote:
im also about in beckenham so will keep an eye out shame the man couldnt get a photo? any idea on the colour of lead or collar? ps another reason to make all dogs liscensed
And pray tell how a piece of paper will stop dog attacks.

Dog licensing was abolished in 1987. Prior to this dog licences were mandatory, but the requirement was widely ignored, with only about half of owners having one.

Waste of time and money.

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Inspirationalady28 says...
7:53am Fri 11 May 12

So sorry to hear about little Buddy..it must have been very painful for the owner to witness. I just hope they find this aggressive dog and it's irresponsible owner before another incident like this happens..next time it could be a baby or small child!! So much for ShopaDog campaign for singling out Staffs..like I said before, it's the DOG and NOT the BREED and its OWNER who are at fault!!!

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madras says...
2:11pm Fri 11 May 12

the wall wrote:
Gavinp wrote:
im also about in beckenham so will keep an eye out shame the man couldnt get a photo? any idea on the colour of lead or collar? ps another reason to make all dogs liscensed
And pray tell how a piece of paper will stop dog attacks.

Dog licensing was abolished in 1987. Prior to this dog licences were mandatory, but the requirement was widely ignored, with only about half of owners having one.

Waste of time and money.
well, perhaps if you had a description of the dog they could check the database to see where there are similar dogs nearby?

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the wall says...
4:33pm Fri 11 May 12

madras wrote:
the wall wrote:
Gavinp wrote: im also about in beckenham so will keep an eye out shame the man couldnt get a photo? any idea on the colour of lead or collar? ps another reason to make all dogs liscensed
And pray tell how a piece of paper will stop dog attacks. Dog licensing was abolished in 1987. Prior to this dog licences were mandatory, but the requirement was widely ignored, with only about half of owners having one. Waste of time and money.
well, perhaps if you had a description of the dog they could check the database to see where there are similar dogs nearby?
A lot of ifs and buts. Do you really think that the people with badly controlled dogs would care about a little bit of paper. Also what if they are not from the area? This, like most knee jerk reactions/laws is ill thought out. Not every dog wants to attack people and other animals. So here's a fresh grown up idea how about we deal with the small percentage of bad owners. Instead of making yet another cash cow for the government.

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toomush2drink says...
7:59pm Sat 12 May 12

I personally think all dogs should be muzzled in public.No more mauled or attacked children,cats or dogs,job done.

Im sick of seeing large dogs run towards my kids with some owner shouting behind that hes alright etc etc.
When something thats bigger than you runs at you is it any wonder they are scared.Why should my kids feel scared because others have dogs in the park ?

Muzzle them and its all sorted and the "random" and "unexpected" attacks then stop. I assume every dog can attack me or my kids because they are animals, however well trained they are and are unpredictable.

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lou2102 says...
8:37pm Sat 12 May 12

My friend and i were walking our dogs in kelsey park today and her little chihuahua got attack by an off lead half muzzled staff, he could pick up a tennis ball even with a muzzle on. She tried to justify her dogs actions by saying our dogs barked, doh! is that not what dogs do. She struggled to get her dog away from us we managed to pick up the other dogs but the staff was still jumping up at my friend. Obviously she knew her dog was dangerous so it should of been on a lead. What if it was a child that made some sort of noise the dog would of gone for the child.

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justjackuk says...
4:09pm Sun 13 May 12

lisainkent wrote:
I have a little female Jack Russell and when we've had problems with other aggressive dogs has been Lurcher & Greyhound types and not the type you'd expect eg. Staffs or other so-called 'demon-dogs'.
Why do you expect it to be a staff? .. isnt on the dangerous dogs list.. typical belligerent attitude from a uneducated stupid bint!! .. for the record, a jack russell is more vicious then a staffordshire bull terrier, FACT, ITS DOWN TO THE TRAINING THE DOG GETS! I am sick to my stomach of reading idiotic comments about staffordshire bull terriers and the bad name they are getting, go back 10yrs it was the rottweiler.. .. get your facts right before you slag off a breed and a subject you clearly know **** all about !

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toomush2drink says...
8:10pm Sun 13 May 12

justjackuk wrote:
lisainkent wrote:
I have a little female Jack Russell and when we've had problems with other aggressive dogs has been Lurcher & Greyhound types and not the type you'd expect eg. Staffs or other so-called 'demon-dogs'.
Why do you expect it to be a staff? .. isnt on the dangerous dogs list.. typical belligerent attitude from a uneducated stupid bint!! .. for the record, a jack russell is more vicious then a staffordshire bull terrier, FACT, ITS DOWN TO THE TRAINING THE DOG GETS! I am sick to my stomach of reading idiotic comments about staffordshire bull terriers and the bad name they are getting, go back 10yrs it was the rottweiler.. .. get your facts right before you slag off a breed and a subject you clearly know **** all about !
Its obvious that the comment is quite clearly saying what you are saying.They are saying it isnt the stereo typical dogs that attack but other breeds.
Why give abuse to the person who saying the same thing as you ?
Your not exactly giving staff owners much credibility with your ridiculous attack on someone who makes the same point as yourself.

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liljoe says...
1:47pm Mon 14 May 12

At the end of the day its down to the owner my dog has been attacked by both a jack russell and a cocker spaniel u just don't know - all dogs that have an unpredictable nature known to the owner should be muzled and on a lead but unfortunately there are many irresponsible god owners who simply don't care. I take no risks now with my dog cos there are too many idiots out there and unfortunately allot of them are in Beckenham...

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