Teen left seriously injured after trying to stop dog attack

by Lisa Reeves

Thursday 14^th May 2015

Thu 14^th May 2015

A brave teenager was taken to hospital after being seriously injured when he tried to stop a dog from being attacked.

The 18-year-old man was driving along Manchester Road on Wednesday, 13th May, when he saw a large Japanese Akita dog attacking a Shitzu. He stopped and tried to intervene.

A police spokesperson said "At around 11:20am on 13 May officers were called to an incident on Manchester Road, Wilmslow involving a dog bite.

"A Japanese Akita dog had escaped from its home and attacked a Shitzu which was being walked by its owner. An 18 year old man who was passing in his car received serious injuries to his arms after stopping to try and intervene.

"The man is in Wythenshaw Hospital receiving treatment for his injuries, the Shitzu also suffered injuries and is being treated by a vet. The Akita has been destroyed."

We understand the Japanese Akita is the same dog that escaped from its garden in June last year and attacked a boxer cross American bulldog which was being walked along the pavement, on a lead, by its owner.

Comments

Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.

Tim George

Thursday 14^th May 2015 at 6:46 pm

Let's hope it's not just the dog that is blamed for this. Dog owners must take resposability.

Chris Jones

Thursday 14^th May 2015 at 7:17 pm

Makes me wonder if Cheshire police placed restrictions on the owners of this dog to stop it escaping after the first escape, if so did they follow up to see this was being followed.
I know of another instance where they won't follow up even when reported.
Hats off to this lad though, I don't think I'd have jumped in.

Jon Williams

Thursday 14^th May 2015 at 8:59 pm

Have they not been a bit quick in destroying the dog !

Vic Barlow

Thursday 14^th May 2015 at 9:53 pm

I work with so-called 'Dangerous Dogs' every day and it is entirely owner driven.
They may not know it but all dog behaviour is learned in or around the home environment .
A little research on the breed before acquisition and a GENUINE commitment to Leadership and education would eradicate almost all of these incidents.

Plus we have the dog fighting fraternity who acquire certain fighting breeds and make them fearful and mean to create lethal aggression. These are sick vicious individuals who flaunt their gangster credentials by violence inflicted upon their dogs.

In this case we are euthanising the wrong end of the lead.

Read my Dogfather Column for help and training tips.

Dave Cash

Friday 15^th May 2015 at 3:50 am

Whilst I accept Vic's opinion of which end of the lead may be responsible for this attack, it is a sad fact that Society, and most pet owners should expect immediate destruction of dog that has attacked & tasted warm mammalian blood. Recent legislation also allows for prosecution of owner.
The Akita is a rel large breed of normally docile protection animals that require a dominant (human?) pack leader

Kaye Metcalfe

Friday 15^th May 2015 at 9:32 am

I was there and the attack was horrendous and terrifying. The lad was so brave and selfless and he's now in hospital needing surgery. I hope the little dog is ok. The Akita had attacked previously I believe.

Friday 15^th May 2015 at 11:12 am

I have done a lot of training with Akita's and they are no different from any of the other guarding breeds. If you respect their breed and demand respect in return you can build a good working relationship.
If you do neither you can end up in trouble. The Akita is a large powerful dog and NOT a cuddly toy.
Leadership and mutual respect is the answer.

DELETED ACCOUNT

Friday 15^th May 2015 at 12:34 pm

There are serious questions about how this dog has escaped more than once. Many owners of large, powerful dogs have six foot fences around their gardens to be on the safe side.

Steph Sankey

Friday 15^th May 2015 at 3:18 pm

Goodness!!!! I walk my little terrier along Manchester Road most mornings and am relieved it wasn't him being attacked by a large Akita!!! Doesn't bear thinking about!! And my Woody is off the lead too....

Oliver Romain

Saturday 16^th May 2015 at 7:17 am

Putting down the dog is the right response, its not a punishment its a safety precaution, the risk to human life is too high for any other option. From what I read the owner should also be banned from owning dogs.

Debra Conroy

Wednesday 20^th May 2015 at 1:16 pm

I agree that the owner should be banned from having future dogs and should also be prosecuted and heavily fined for the devastation caused on the 13th of May. I have a neighbour on The Villas in Wilmslow with one of these dogs and it is clear that the dog totally controls him. The dog decides when it is going to walk and stop and he is incapable of controlling it which is very frightening when I am out with my own dogs, both trained by Vic Barlow and very well behaved.

Vince Chadwick

Wednesday 20^th May 2015 at 3:50 pm

A tragic example of how some people are not up to owning a dog - any dog, let a powerful one like this. Is re-introduction of licencing the answer? Probably not, as these irresponsible people would simply ignore the licencing requirement. Swift prosecution, with meaningful penalties, of irresponsible dog owners is perhaps the only way to curb this.