Danger dogs on rampage (From Surrey Comet)

Danger dogs on rampage

7:13am Thursday 25th October 2007 in

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A string of savage dog attacks in the Dover House Road area of Putney has left residents fearing for their safety.

Householders told the Borough News how there were three incidents between Friday evening and Sunday, with at least two pets being killed in the brutal onslaughts.

On Friday, residents said two dogs attacked and killed a cat followed by a ferocious attack on a Yorkshire terrier, although this was not confirmed by police. Two days later on Sunday, two other dogs, thought to be pit bull terriers, attacked a dog walker before turning their attention on his dog, which was later humanely put down by police.

One woman, who did not want to be named, saw the attack on the cat: "I've never been so scared in my life, and I know dogs. These dogs were out to kill. That poor cat, we did everything we could to keep them off him but they were going berserk.

"One woman was trying to fend off the animals with a dustbin lid while another neighbour tried to attend to the cat."

The first incident happened at approximately 9pm on Friday evening, when several neighbours heard the screams of what they thought was a child.

They ran outside, only to see the stricken feline being tossed about by the dogs before being ripped apart.

A resident tried to follow the animals but came across the owner of a Yorkshire terrier, which had also been attacked.

Another resident, Alexis, said: "We have had terrible problems for the last year, gangs have been training dogs on the estate, we have complained about it before, but nothing is ever done.

"I can't even walk to the shops at the bottom of Dover House Road with my dogs anymore, you just never know when these boys will be here with their dogs "We want Justine Greening to call a meeting with the police, the RSPCA and the council to see what they are going to do about it."

Wandsworth Police inspector, Paul O'Herlihy, confirmed officers were called to Putney Park Lane on October 21. He said two dogs were at the scene, one was seized and the other, which was out of control, was shot by a firearms unit that was subsequently called.

He said: "We can also confirm that the dog under attack was humanely put down at the owner's request."

The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 made it illegal to own a pit bull terrier, tosa, dogo Argentino or fila Brasileiro without specific exemption from a court.

Inspector O'Herlihy said: "Should the dog be a danger or a threat to the genral public an armed response unit can be called and the animal can be shot."

If you have any more information on this incident please leave a comment below or call the newsdesk on 020 8330 9535