Man feared his dog would die as Rottweiler owner wouldn't stop attack

30 September 2023 , 11:21

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Thankfully Buddy is now on the mend (Image: Paul Bolingbroke)

A terrified man shouted 'do you want my dog to die?' during a horror Rottweiler attack in a UK city park which resulted in a whopping £400 vet bill.

Paul Bolingbroke thought his 14-year-old Staffordshire bull terrier Buddy would die on the spot after being repeatedly attacked by an out of control dog at a park in Norwich. The 46-year-old from from Bowthorpe, Norfolk, was taking Buddy on what was supposed to be a "quick walk before tea" last Friday evening.

Paul says he immediately put Buddy back on his lead after spotting the Rottweiler and its owner enter the local park, and they continued walking along the main path. But the other dog soon became "restless", according to Paul.

Poor Buddy was repeatedly attacked by a Rottweiler (Paul Bolingbroke)

Paul Bolingbroke feared Buddy, 14, would die on the spot (Paul Bolingbroke)

Detailing the horror moment the attack took place, Paul said: "Before I knew it, it broke off its harness and went straight for Buddy. I grabbed Buddy while trying to get the other dog off and shouting at the owner to get him off."

Despite eventually managing to separate the canines, they were about to leave the park when the Rottweiler attacked again, the Eastern Daily Press reports. Poor Buddy suffered 10 wounds all over his body, according to devastated owner Paul.

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He said: "The dog ran back and was biting Buddy, not letting go. I continued to shout at the owner to get his dog off, otherwise Buddy was going to die right there. The owner was clearly tired as he was slow getting over but I was shouting if he wanted my dog to die."

Buddy suffered 10 wounds all over his body (Paul Bolingbroke)

Thankfully Buddy is on the mend after Paul was forced to fork out £400 for injections and medication. But he still has a "nasty cut" behind his ear and another wound on his left shoulder blade. But Paul fumed: "It's frustrating because owners should be able to protect other dogs by taking care of their own."

It is unknown whether there have been any arrests made in connection with the incident. Mirror Online has contacted Norfolk Police for further information.

A vet recently told how one trick can be used to restrain dangerously out of control dogs. It comes as the UK has suffered a spate of dog attacks in recent weeks with distressing footage showing out-of-control animals savaging their victims. Meanwhile PM Rishi Sunak has ordered that one type of breed - the XL Bully - be banned by the end of the year.

Buddy's injuries resulted in a £400 vet bill (Paul Bolingbroke)

Dr Joanna Woodnutt, of Perfect Pet Insurance, says that twisting a dog's collar could work to stop dogs from attacking, as could throwing water or pushing a stick in the dog’s mouth - but people should seriously consider their safety before attempting to intervene. She said: "For some dogs, a loud noise or emptying a bucket of water over them will be enough to shock them into letting go for long enough that you can get them under control."

According to UK Government guidance, it's against the law for dogs to be "dangerously out of control". Violations can result in unlimited fines or even a six-month prison sentence. This rises to up to five years if someone is injured as a result of an incident involving their pet, while if someone is killed it reaches 14 years.

Courts also have powers to rule that dogs are destroyed or muzzled, while owners can be banned from keeping pets for a fixed period for flouting the law.

Sam Ormiston