Escaped dogs attack pensioner in Torpoint and kill his small dog
By
C_Becquart | Posted: February 10, 2017
A dog was killed and its elderly owner injured after two other dogs reportedly escaped in Torpoint and attacked them.
Torpoint police said yesterday that an incident involving two dogs took place in the morning. Officers confirmed on Facebook that they dealt with two dogs that were "roaming the town" and said both dogs are back with their owner.
On Thursday morning, between 9am and 11am, the two American bulldogs ran loose and hospitalised a man reportedly recovering from a heart bypass – killing his own dog in the process.
A spokesman from Liskeard police said: "Both dogs escaped from a premises on Albion Road in Torpoint causing fatal injuries to a dog. Its owner sustained injuries to both hands."
After the incident Torpoint police posted a statement on its Facebook page to reassure residents about the attack, but it failed to address concerns of locals.
A Facebook user wrote: "So lets get this right..... The dogs which attacked and killed a little dog being walked (on a lead) by a responsible elderly gentleman recovering from a heart attack who was also attacked in the incident, have been returned to their irresponsible owner...... ? "
A Torpoint woman said her father is the man mentioned in the comments and that he is currently in hospital.
She wrote: "Dad is OK, more devastated about his dog than concerned about his own injuries. His dog was his life and really helped to get him outdoors after his heart bypass, not sure how he'll cope without him. He was powerless to do anything to save him."
In a new statement by the community's policing team, officers have moved to reassure residents the investigation is ongoing.
PC Wooldridge, the officer for the area, said she understood people's concerns as it was not the first time incidents involving those dogs had taken place.
She wrote: "I can clarify with you that the dogs were checked out yesterday and I can confirm these dogs are NOT a dangerous breed under the dangerous dog act 1991. Our enquires are still on going with the matter."
On their Facebook page, police insisted later that, although the incident is traumatic, every person involved should be respected.
They wrote: "Followers and friends,
"We have seen your comments. Sadly, some have not been helpful and some have clearly crossed the mark.
All of us involved in this incident have dogs. This clearly has been a traumatic time for all. Our thoughts are with those all affected.
"We constantly work with other agencies and are fully aware of the Dogs Act. Veiled threats, talk of vigilante acts and name shaming do not make our investigation any easier. Please respect all the persons involved.
"The dogs have been taken away, back to the breeders and will not be in Torpoint again. A lot has gone on behind the scenes and our investigation continues.
"This Facebook page was set up to be used and has been used to great effect in the past as a tool to update, inform and reassure members of this community. It will continue.
"Mr Julian Morris the Sector Inspector is fully aware and has given me permission to delete/hide any comments deemed inappropriate on this page. I am particularly upset when comments become critical about my colleagues.
I have all the comments recorded.
"We work together as best we can, you are part of this community. We often rely upon and need your help. Constructive criticism is welcome and we are always working at improving our service to the public.
"The earlier feeds will now be closed for further comments. If you have any concerns please contact us on 101.
"Thank you for reading this, your support and understanding is appreciated."
The Liskeard officer stressed that the investigation into the incident is ongoing.
He said: "Both dogs have been seen by a police dog handler. We can't say too much at the moment.
"People that use Facebook need to know they cannot comment whatever they want on the social network, especially as it is quite an emotive story."
http://www.cornwalllive.com/escaped...is-small-dog/story-30126653-detail/story.html
Seems that this was not the police's finest moment...