'Vicious' dog attack left cocker spaniel close to death

On Thursday, June 8, Paul Bartlett, 58, had just entered the wooded area of Puddlebrook Playing Fields with Bailey when he spotted two other dog walkers.

"I could hear them coming from the other side of the hedge, so I put Bailey on the lead before we turned the corner," he said.

"But one of the dogs went for him immediately. He jumped on him and locked his teeth into Bailey's leg."

Bailey suffered puncture wounds to his right thigh, tail and abdomen. (Image: Erica Bartlett)

With children playing football just 10 feet away, Mr Bartlett said he desperately tried to wrestle them apart but the other dog was too strong.

"I think it lasted about five minutes and the other guy had to get on top of his dog and punch it in the head," he added.

"I was completely taken aback and told him his dog was out of control."

The "vicious" ordeal left the five-year-old cocker spaniel laying on the ground, bleeding profusely and Mr Bartlett "scooped him up and ran him to a Haverhill vet".

Bailey had to stay with the vet for five days and may need future surgery. (Image: Erica Bartlett)

With several deep puncture wounds on his right thigh, tail and abdomen, vets advised that they may have to amputate his leg.

READ MORE: Mildenhall man appears in court over dog attack

Hearing of the incident afterwards, Erica Bartlett, 55, said it was "absolutely awful" and the couple couldn't believe that the owners of the dog who attacked Bailey had walked away from the scene.

"He was in the vets for five days, but he's still not himself," said Mrs Bartlett.

"It didn't hit home until I went to see him. I just laid down next to him and burst into tears."

Bailey is now safely at home having stayed in the vets for five days. (Image: Erica Bartlett)

Though he may need an operation in the near future, Bailey is now safely at home with a long recovery ahead of him.

Both Suffolk police and the RSPCA are aware of the incident.