A Tayside animal lover has called for dogs to be muzzled after her beloved pet was “savaged” by two greyhounds and had to be put down.
Susan Kettles of Westmuir, near Kirriemuir, does not want the dogs to be destroyed following the distressing attack on her seven-year-old Bichon but has called for tighter controls to ensure no other dog suffers the horrific injuries sustained by her pet.
Tragically, Kirsty had to be put down yesterday after more than a week of suffering.
Mrs Kettles’ dog was being walked by her husband, David, near their home when a fellow dog walker approached with two greyhounds on leads.
Susan said: “One broke its lead and immediately came over to my dog and started biting into her.
“My husband tried to kick it off, the girl came over with the other dog which was still on the lead and it started biting at the other end.”
Mrs Kettles contacted Police Scotland to report the incident before contacting Angus Council’s dog warden service.
She continued: “She was in the vets for a few days and I took her home for a day, but I couldn’t do the bandages for fear of hurting her so we took her back to the vets.
“But she fell into a deep depression and was missing home so I had to take her back. She was looking a bit brighter for a while and I hoped she would pull through.
“I was told by the police, because it was dog on dog, they don’t do anything but I had to phone the dog warden, who came to see us.”
After the attack the Bichon received treatment at the Thrums Veterinary Group but has had to go home for regular visits.
Mrs Kettles continued: “Her injuries were horrific.
“Her eyes were rolling and she was making a funny noise like crying out and she was struggling to breath, so I took her to the vets.
“I couldn’t have her suffering anymore so I made the decision to put her down.
“I’ve had her since she was eight weeks old. She’s my baby. It’s heartbreaking.
“She would have been eight in April but I can’t describe what she has gone through.
“It is just awful. It has been so traumatic, I have never seen anything so horrible in my life.
“It’s just horrendous, horrific, it makes me so sick
“I don’t want them (the greyhounds) put down but they have to be restrained and muzzled.
“I do not want to see anybody else’s dog ripped apart.”
A Police Scotland spokesman said: “We were made aware of the matter and advice was given to the complainer”
An Angus Council spokesman said: “This incident has been reported to us and our dog warden is carrying out inquiries in to the full circumstances of the incident.”
