A family is heartbroken after their dog of eleven years was mauled to death in a "vicious" attack. Bobby the Patterdale cross was "like a member of the family" to Andrew Brough and his seven children.
The dad, 57, from Tuebrook, had taken Bobby for a walk with his 21-year-old daughter Skylar around Newsham Park late on the night of Wednesday, July 29 due to the hot weather when a dog, which he described as an XL Bully-type, latched its jaw onto his pet, leaving several puncture wounds on his back and stomach. Bobby died from his injuries just days later.
Attack Details
Speaking to the ECHO about the savage attack, Mr Brough said: "We'd gone out late because of how hot it had been that day. We were walking around the park with Bobby on a lead when this XL Bully type dog about three times the size attacked him. It grabbed hold of him, I was shouting, I panicked.
"Thankfully, someone who was fishing helped me get the dog off Bobby and the owner came along a few minutes later. He just got the dog and walked away. I was in such a panic to get my dog to the vets, we didn't think he was going to make it through the night."
Bobby suffered multiple wounds to his stomach and back. Mr Brough said: "He was in a lot of pain. We were in such shock, the whole thing was scary. I'm just thankful my daughter hadn't taken him on her own, she had a panic attack when it happened. I'm just thankful for the Good Samaritan who was fishing at the time that rushed to help. He phoned the vets and police for us while I ran home with Bobby in my arms and jumped in car to take him to the vets.
"My daughter is blaming herself because it was her who wanted to take him out that night, it wasn't her fault. We want to find the owner of the dog so we can warn others."
Family's Grief
Bobby died from his injuries five days later, on Sunday, August 2. The attack was reported to police, who Mr Brough said were "looking for CCTV" in the area.
The attack has left the family devastated. Mr Brough said: "It's our local park, we go there all the time and have so many memories there with the kids. Now, it's hard for the kids to go to the park, it holds bad memories.
"I have seven children, my oldest is 23 and youngest 13, Bobby was 11 years old, they've grown up with him, it's like losing a family member. We're devastated.
"He was no spring chicken but he was healthy and could have had a few more years with us. Bobby has been robbed of those years and so have we."
Appeal for Information
The family have shared their story with the ECHO to warn other dog walkers in the area.
Liverpool Echo has asked Merseyside Police for more information.
