A woman whose dog was attacked in Co Antrim this week says she has been left "beyond traumatised" as she shared footage of the horrific incident on social media.
Katie McCotter's dog Milo was attacked by a lurcher type dog in the Newtownabbey area at around 8pm on Thursday. She has shared footage of the horrific incident on TikTok in a bid to raise awareness catch those responsible.
She said: "I was walking Milo on the lead at the time but the other dog was off the lead. It went for my face but my luckily my fight mode kicked in.
"I was kicking the dog and then I took the video as I thought Milo was dead and I needed evidence. The dog was clearly vicious and I continued to boot it away but it went for my leg a few times. Its owner did not care and heard my screams. He calmly walked over and got the dog off of us. He didn't say anything or apologise. The attack lasted 10-15 minutes.
"A woman came out to help me and without her, Milo would've been dead and i would have been seriously injured. She saved us. Her injuries are two bite marks on her wrist/arm and hip. She spend most of the night in A&E. It's just lucky that the damage wasn't worse or that there weren't any young children around."
Milo, a one-year-old Bichon Frisé, sustained two puncture wounds to the groin and leg and torn muscle damage.
Katie added: "I'm beyond traumatised and Milo has spent the last two nights in the emergency vets and will be there for the next couple of nights. He was very lucky as the other dog grabbed his back end and the front and was trying to break Milo’s neck.
"I'm just glad he's alive as I thought he was dead. We have contacted the police and dog wardens but I want to spread awareness about irresponsible dog owners. Milo is my everything. I genuinely don’t know what I'd do without him. But he is so traumatised too and will never be himself again."
Police have also issued an appeal for information and urged witnesses to come forward. A PSNI spokesperson said: "Police received a report of a dog attack in Mallusk on Thursday 3rd April.
"It was reported that a lurcher type dog attacked another dog which was being walked in the Hydepark Mews area shortly before 9pm on Thursday evening. A member of the public intervened and sustained bite injuries.
"Officers are liaising with the local dog warden and are appealing for any witnesses to the incident to contact them in Newtownabbey on 101, quoting reference number 1521 03/04/25."
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