Shocking footage shows a mum trying to protect her young daughter – after an out of control dog attacked her pet.
The woman was pushing her one-year-old daughter in a trike while walking her dog, when a Staffordshire Bull Terrier came running up to them.
The bull terrier then proceeded to violently attack the woman’s dog – while she tried to move her daughter, who can be heard crying, out of the way.
In the horrifying video, the woman can be heard screaming ‘take your dog, get off him’ as she attempted to move her pet away while protecting her daughter.
Eventually, the staffy’s owner managed to grab his dog and move them out of the way.
The woman and her daughter both suffered superficial injuries from the attack – which happened on Richmond Road in Sheffield, South Yorks,. on September 2.
Dog legislation officer PC Paul Jameson is now urging pet owners to take responsibility for their dogs and to prevent them from escaping.
He said: “Your dog is your responsibly.
“If it attacks someone or causes fear in our communities, you are the one held responsible, you are the one facing prosecution, but your dog could also face being euthanised.
“If you know your dog can escape your garden, fix it.
“Build higher fences, put a lock on the gate, put up signage for people to be aware, and not enter.
“Keep your dog on a lead, and if you know your dog doesn’t like other dogs, walk it in quieter areas and not during busy times.”
PC Jameson has also said that dog owners can’t think that they know their dogs best and that ‘it’s dangerous to apply human thinking to a dog’s behaviour.’
He said: “Don’t be compliant, don’t think it won’t happen, don’t think you know your dog best.
“They’re animals – even the most relaxed animals in certain situations can be subjected to stress, which may cause a response born from fear.
“It’s an animal’s instinct and it’s our role to understand those situations, spot the signs your dog is giving you and remove them, or the stressor.
“Dogs think like dogs and it’s dangerous to apply human thinking to a dog’s behaviour.
“The same goes within your own home; teach your children from a young age to respect dogs, don’t let them climb or jump on them, ensure your dog has somewhere quiet to go that is their space, away from family life.
“Sometimes simple common-sense, low-cost changes can make the difference.”
The dog in the video was seized by officers, but was later returned to the owner with conditions and guidance to follow.
The animal’s owner is being processed through restorative justice for the harm caused to the victims.
