Shropshire Star

Puppy savaged by pitbull as gang laughs

A puppy was attacked and seriously injured by a pitbull in a town centre car park while a gang of men watched on and laughed.

Published

Josh Langford's 13-week old Staffy pup Stella was attacked in Welshpool's Berriew Street car park and was thrown around "like a rag doll" in front of Mr Langford and his girlfriend.

Mr Langford said he initially feared for his own safety and said the gang of men ordered the dog to attack.

Stella's injuries

The attack only ended when two of the men prised the pitbull away before the gang ran from the scene.

The puppy had to be be rushed to the vets for surgery after suffering a number of puncture wounds and is now recovering.

Mr Langford said: "It was terrifying, I am certain it was a deliberate attack as the dog was not on a lead and I heard the command 'go go'. It was like he was showing his friends what it could do.

"Its owner was drinking alcohol with four other men in the car park at about 3pm on Sunday when it happened."

Mr Langford, a carpenter who lives in the town, said he was with his partner Madonna Evans, when the attack took place.

He added: "It was bouncing poor Stella on the ground like a rag doll. We were screaming at the men to help get the dog off but they just laughed. Eventually they saw all the blood and they opened its jaws but it took two of them to pull it off Stella. They then ran away.

"We then had to take Stella for an emergency operation at the vets where she is now recovering, albeit in a state of shock."

Mr Langford said he reported the incident to both Dyfed-Powys Police and the RSPCA but has heard nothing back.

He said: "Over the past two days we have received the guy's name and address and a lot of people have had a run-in with him so something needs to be done before another animal, or a small child, is seriously injured or worse."

Sian George, Dyfed-Powys Police spokeswoman, said: "At approximately 2.26pm on Sunday a report was received that a dog had attacked a puppy in Berriew Street, Welshpool.

"The puppy was taken to a vet and underwent treatment for its injuries. The dog was described as a bulldog type, brown with a white belly and it was wearing a black leather collar.

"It appeared the dog was with a group of about five men when the incident happened."

It comes after a pensioner was fined £120 after his dog bit a paper girl on the leg.

Claude Beugnies was walking his dog in Orchid Walk in Newtown when it lurched forward and bit a girl delivering newspapers.

Beugnies, 66, who admitted being the owner of a dog that was dangerously out of control in a public place and injured someone when he appeared at Welshpool Magistrates Court, was fined £120 and ordered to pay £80 compensation, £85 costs and a £35 surcharge.

Anyone who witnessed the attack in Welshpool or has information is asked to contact Dyfed-Powys Police by calling 101.

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