Dog owner’s horror after out of control bull terrier ‘ripped’ her neighbour’s pet ‘to bits’ in front of her

A beloved jack russell was mauled to death by an out of control ‘staffy-type’ dog in a savage attack that left a man injured. 

Pensioner Kath Gordon was walking her cocker spaniel Geordie, her daughter’s French bulldog Bruce and her elderly neighbour’s jack russell Toby in Newcastle’s West End on Monday morning when she spotted the out of control bull terrier hurtling towards her.

The 71-year-old managed to scoop the two smallest dogs into her arms but the beast sunk its teeth into the dog that was still on the ground.

Toby somehow managed to wriggle free and despite the frantic efforts of passers-by, including two men who tried to restrain the dog by sitting on it, the jack russell was mauled to death.

‘It was absolutely horrendous, it ripped him to bits,’ Kath said. 

One member of the public was bitten on the finger, police confirmed, as it was revealed the ‘dangerous’ dog has been seized and a full investigation is underway.  

Geordie, left, and Bruce, right, who have been left traumatised since the attack

Dog lover Kath has walked Toby daily for several years to help out her neighbour. She would take the 11-year-old terrier out with Bruce and Geordie at the same time every morning.

On Monday she paused her daily walk at the top of Prince Philip Close in Benwell to chat to a relative when she saw the ‘dangerous’ dog heading towards her without an owner. 

But before she could react the dog had already started its deadly attack.

A passing driver stopped and managed to get two of the dogs into the safety of her car, but the crazed ‘staffy-type’ dog tragically mauled Toby.

‘By this time everybody was out,’ said Kath. ‘Two blokes had to sit on the dog, but he got away. It was just too strong and powerful.’

Northumbria Police has confirmed that the incident is being investigated.

Kath would take Toby out with Bruce (right) and Geordie (left) at the same time every morning for a walk

A spokesman said: ‘At about 11.15am (on Monday) officers received a report of a dangerous dog that was running loose near Prince Philip Close, Benwell.

‘It was reported that it had attacked two other dogs – fatally injuring one – as well as injuring members of the public.

‘Officers attended the scene and the dog in question has been seized. A full investigation is ongoing into the incident.’

Meanwhile Kath remains traumatised by her ordeal.

‘I just think something should be done to get these dogs off the streets,’ she said. ‘If people can’t control them they shouldn’t have them.

‘I have walked dogs around Benwell for years and I’m not frightened but I have really struggled to get them out since because I’m so traumatised.’