Woman hits out at irresponsible XL Bully style dog owners after pet poodle injured in terrifying attack
“People should obey the law and these types of breed should always be on a lead and with a muzzle”
A woman has called on dog owners to “be more responsible and to obey the law” after her poodle Lord Lòrian was attacked by what she described as an XL Bully style breed in a Sunderland Park.
Manuela Brown, 65, is also fearful the animal, which was not on a lead or with a muzzle, will attack again.
The incident took place on Sunday morning (July 5) as Manuela took her six dogs, including Lord Lòrian and her new puppy to Backhouse Park for a walk and to play with their toy balls.
Recalling the terrifying attack, Manuela said: “It was around 7.30 in the morning and I saw three men come into the park with their dogs. They were all big dogs. One looked like a Malinois, one looked like an XL Bully type dog, and the other I couldn’t identify.
“When the XL Bully style dog saw my dogs it started to run towards them. The man tried to get it on a lead but he couldn’t do so.”
Fearing the worst, Manuela put her own safety to one side by trying to protect her pet animals.
She said: “I crouched down and tried to cover them as best I could, but the dog came from the side and under me and grabbed Lord Lòrian in his jaws and was immediately on top of him. Two of the men managed to get the dog off, but it then broke free and grabbed him for a second time.
“I was trying to get it off Lord Lòrian but I couldn’t. Eventually the men managed to get it off for a second time. Lord Lòrian was shaking and screaming and there was blood coming from his side.
“I asked the other dog owner for his details, but he replied ‘your dog seems fine, nothing has happened’, before walking off.”
Manuela took Lord Lòrian to the emergency veterinary service, Vets Now in Gateshead, where he began to struggle to breath.
She said: “He had a 2cm deep would to his side and his lungs had filled with fluid causing them to collapse. He also had eight broken ribs. They gave him morphine for the pain and managed to drain his lungs.”
Whilst Lord Lòrian is now on the mend, Manuela has been left with an initial £4,600 veterinary bill with “several thousand pounds” more needing to be found for future treatment and medication.
Owning an XL Bully in the UK is a criminal offense unless your dog is registered on the Index of Exempted Dogs and you hold a valid Certificate of Exemption. When in public, owners must ensure their dog is on a lead and securely muzzled.
Manuela said: “People should obey the law and these types of breed should always be on a lead and with a muzzle. It could have been a child that was attacked or me. I do worry that this dog will attack again. I don’t blame the dog, I blame the owner - they need to take responsibility.
“If the people see these types of dog out in public without a muzzle or on a lead they need to report it to the police.”
Manuela said she did contact the police following the incident.
A GoFundMe page has also been set up to help cover the cost of spiralling veterinary bills.
Manuela said: “Lord Lòrian is still traumatised by what happened. I’ve struggled to eat and sleep since the attack. No one should have to witness such a thing.”