A dog owner has warned others to be careful after his beloved pet was killed by a Staffordshire Bull Terrier while out walking in Woodbridge

A CONCERNED dog owner has warned others to be careful after his own pet was mauled by a Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

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Barry Leach and his partner Stephanie Simpkin were enjoying a walk along the River Deben when their 14-and-a-half-year Lhasa Apso, Eric, was killed.

They were heading from the Tide Mill to The Riverside Tea Room when their beloved pet was attacked close to the rowing club, near to other dog walkers and families with toddlers.

Mr Leach, who lives in Woodbridge, was prompted to get in touch with the EADT after reading about a similar attack by a Staffordshire Bull Terrier in Beccles.

The 62-year-old said: “I just think other dog owners should be made aware that this type of thing is quite common. For us it all happened so quickly, there was nothing that we could do.

“Eric was an elderly dog with cataracts and had just had his teeth removed. He loved socialising with the many friendly dogs being walked along the path. He approached the Staffordshire wagging his tail to be sociable, but without warning it leapt on him, sinking it’s jaws into his neck.

“Despite the person looking after the dog picking it up, the Staffordshire did not release its jaws until it had ensured fatal injury. The incident happened at the tail end of last year and we are still in shock. It was an awful thing to have to witness.”

Mr Leach said the owner of the dog has since accepted a voluntary caution and praised the local dog warden and police officer for the way they handled the situation. However, he did say he thought the current law was too complex and should be simplified, while warning others to take extra care.

“The dog warden explained that the number of incidents locally is increasing and there’s a disproportionate percentage of Staffies involved,” he said. “As a result I just thought if I could raise a bit of awareness it might help others avoid a similar attack - either on their own dog or child.”

A spokeswoman for Suffolk police said every case was judged individually. “Under the Dangerous Dogs Act it is illegal for any breed of dog to be out of control in a public place,” she said. “If the animal in question is acting in such a way that someone thinks that they will be attacked an offence is being committed and if a human is hurt there is a specific offence of a dangerous dog causing injury in a public place. However the legislation does not specifically cover attacks on other pet animals.

“When cases are reported to police they are dealt with on an individual basis to see whether the owner of the other animal can be traced and spoken to, if there are any offences that may be relevant or if another agency may be able to assist.

“Depending on the circumstances, there may be very little police can do within the powers available to them, however the owner of the injured animal may also have the option of taking civil action against the offending dog owner.”