EXCLUSIVE

By Hayley Robinson

A dog owner watched in horror as his pet was flung around and tossed into the air ‘like a rag doll’ after it was attacked by a Rottweiler.

Tom Pexton was taking his Border Terrier Amber for a country walk when she was set upon.

The seven-month-old pet needed emergency treatment for a puncture wound to her chest. She also suffered cuts and grazes to her shoulder and back as well as bruising.

Mr Pexton, of Chatsworth Drive, Sittingbourne, said: "It had my dog by the stomach and chest in its mouth and was flinging it around like a rag doll. Blood was flying everywhere.

"The attacked last just over a minute. I thought she was dead because she’d gone all floppy."

Mr Pexton was at the White Horse Wood Country Park on Detling Hill when the attack happened at about 10.30am on Friday, November 12.

The 36-year-old said: "I was just past the viewing point where there is a turning to the left. Amber was off the lead. As soon as I rounded the corner there was a couple with a white German Shepherd and a Rottweiler. Amber walked over to them then rolled over in a submissive fashion. The Rottweiler ran past its owner.

"He tried to grab the dog by the collar but it reared up and came down on top of my dog and the owner had to let go because it was just too powerful.

"I was screaming at the owner to restrain the dog. Then I tried kicking and punching the dog. I was at a loss as to what to do, I couldn’t get the dog to stop.

"I asked the owner for his name and address but his partner just said ‘I think you should get your dog to a vet’. Then they then grabbed the dog and walked off.

"That dog could have attacked a person - a child."

Amber was rushed to Newnham Court Veterinary Hospital in Maidstone where they drained the puncture wound to her chest, gave her antibiotics and pain relief and treated her for shock. She was kept in until Sunday (November 14)afternoon.

Caroline Kisko, from the Kennel Club, has moved to dismiss suggestions that all Rottweilers are dangerous.

She said: "We believe a dog is only as good as its owner. A dog is much like a child, you would not expect a child to bring itself up, learn what is right and wrong, socialise itself – these vital things must be learnt from those around them – which in a dog’s case is its owner."

Anyone with any information about the incident is asked to contact Kent Police on 01622 690690.