A terrifying dog attack on Kensington High Street has left a Jack Russell belonging to Tom Parker Bowles, the son of Queen Camilla, fighting for its life, while revealing the identity of the aggressive mastiff's wealthy owner.
The Horrific Attack on Kensington High Street
Two-year-old terrier Maud was viciously attacked last Thursday by a 10-stone Cane Corso mastiff while walking with her owner Tom Parker Bowles. The food critic described how he was forced to wrestle the beast on the pavement as it clamped its jaws around Maud's "soft white belly," shaking her like prey.
Mr Parker Bowles managed to pull his dog free only after kicking the mastiff 'in the balls' before leaping into a taxi to rush her to emergency veterinary care. He was so shaken by the incident that he didn't even take the handler's name.
The £30 Million Mansion and Its Owner
A Daily Mail investigation has traced the aggressive dog to a luxury mansion on one of Britain's most expensive streets, where Chinese businesswoman Maria Leung keeps two Cane Corsos as protection animals.
Land Registry records show the 56-year-old businesswoman bought the property for £30 million in 2021 and immediately embarked on an extensive overhaul, digging out a vast new basement to create extra living space and a private swimming pool.
Leung began her career presenting financial bulletins on Hong Kong television before moving into corporate PR and ultimately into a consultancy role at CST Group - the Cayman-registered mining conglomerate controlled by her billionaire ex-husband Chiu Tao, 70.
Controversial Background and Aftermath
Mr Chiu has long been a controversial presence in Hong Kong's financial sector and was publicly censured by Hong Kong's stock exchange in 2000 after regulators found his company failed to inform shareholders of a major change to how IPO proceeds were being used.
Maud underwent surgery at the Village Vet practice in Chiswick and spent two days recovering at another practice in Hammersmith before being allowed home. Tom Parker Bowles said he was "a firm believer that there's no such thing as a bad dog, rather a bad owner" and did not want the dog responsible to be put down.
However, he called for restrictions on Cane Corso-style dogs, stating: "What I do want, though, is these big, powerful and often beautiful dogs to be muzzled when out in public. Is that too much to ask?"
The attack comes as Cane Corsos have increasingly become known as 'status dogs' since it was made illegal to own the XL Bully breed in 2023 without an exemption certificate. While XL Bully owners must muzzle their dogs in public by law, there is currently no legal requirement to muzzle Cane Corsos, despite frequent attacks involving the breed.
