Terrified sister protects brother, 6, against crazed dog attack (From This Is Local London)

Terrified sister protects brother, 6, against crazed dog attack in Hendon park

11:50am Wednesday 21st April 2010 in Where I Live By Kevin Bradford

A TERRIFIED dog owner was forced to protect her younger brother from a crazed Terrier which tried to savage their family pet.

Sabina McCulloch, of Heriot Road, Hendon, was walking her Lhasa Apso with her six-year-old brother in Hendon Park, last Friday, when they were attacked by the aggressive dog.

The scared 23-year-old initially cradled her pet, Toby, while urging her brother to run away.

But when the dog started snapping at her, she was forced to make the tough decision to drop two-year-old Toby to ensure her own safety.

It was then that the dog locked on around Toby's neck and began shaking him around violently.

Sabina said: “The first thing I did was pick up the little dog, but then the other dog leapt at me, and maybe it was the wrong thing to do, but I just dropped him again out of pure fright.

“It seemed the wrong thing to do because he was just grabbed by the other dog. It all happened really fast and because our dog wasn't yelping we thought it was too late.

“I sent my brother away because I didn't want him to be next. My brother is so tiny and this dog was almost as big as him.”

The attacking dog is thought to be owned by one of the members of a gang which Sabina spotted loitering near the entrance to the park.

When the Terrier launched at her dog, she began screaming for help, but said the boys just looked over and were laughing at her.

She said: “When I first got to the park I thought 'I don't like the look of them', so I deliberately tried to stay away.

“We were just innocently walking around the park when this dog came at us so fast across the grass. Within seconds he was there and there wasn't anything I could have done.

“I just froze. I was really scared because I was responsible for my little brother and the dog. Two members of the gang eventually came over and they literally had to beat him off Toby.

“They told me I was being irresponsible and tried to blame the attack on me.”

Sabina was able to find a police community support officer who chased the boys before they escaped on their bikes.

Police are carrying out investigations to identify the owners of the Terrier, but are unable to log it as a crime because it was a dog on dog attack.

Toby was taken to the vet and required medication to stop any infection, but escaped serious injury.

Sabina's mother, Zarina, said the family was shocked when they heard about the attack, and added: “Luckily my children weren't injured, but the whole thing about this is just people shouldn't have to have this when they go to the park.

“There needs to be a new law to stop people bringing out these dogs if they are aggressive or be forced to keep them on a lead if they are in the park.”

Police said the Terrier breed is not a banned dog, but insisted irresponsible ownership can turn any dog into a danger.

The Times-Series has launched its Biting Back campaign to push for firmer punishments for those who violate dog laws and tackling irresponsible ownership.

Visit www.times-series.co.uk to learn more.