A heartbroken couple who lost their beloved pet in a horrific attack have demanded severe penalties for owners of dangerous dogs.
June and Daniel Donovan’s Jack Russell terrier was mauled by two Staffordshire bull terriers outside a shop near their home in Glenrothes.
Buster’s windpipe was ripped open and his injuries were so severe he had to be put to sleep.
June had popped into a shop and tied Buster up outside when he was set upon.
She said it took four women and three men to get the dogs off Buster.
June told The Courier that the two dogs involved are still in the community and added: “If it had been a child attacked that day it would have died, there’s no doubt about it. These dogs should be impounded and a prosecution brought.”
Buster was attacked on December 16.
“It took four women and three men to get those dogs off my dog. It was horrific,” she said.
Buster’s windpipe was ripped open and the back of his neck suffered gaping wounds.
Three days later his condition deteriorated and it was discovered he had suffered severe brain damage due to being shaken by the snarling Staffies.
“We had to make the heartbreaking decision to let him go,” said Mrs Donovan.
The Donovans reported the attack to the police but expressed concern at how the case had been handled.
Under the Dangerous Dogs Act, the police normally only become involved if a dog has attacked a person, while dog-on-dog attacks are usually dealt with by the council dog warden.
However, the Donovans believe the incident involving Buster was so serious that the police should have investigated from the start.
“These dogs are still out there and people have told us they have seen them hanging from branches by their teeth,” said Mrs Donovan.
“This is apparently what people do to strengthen their dogs if they are being used for fighting.
“The police usually get involved only if a person has been attacked but, surely, there should be a sliding scale and they should take the severity of the incident into account.”
“There’s a world of difference between two dogs snapping at one another and what we experienced.”
A police spokesman confirmed that officers were investigating the attack and added: “Officers have been working alongside Fife Council dog wardens and both agencies have been in regular contact with the owner of the Jack Russell.”