This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/6361067.stm
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Woman's terror during dog attack | Woman's terror during dog attack |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| An attack in which a woman was mauled by a German Shepherd dog has led to an appeal for help by a city council. | An attack in which a woman was mauled by a German Shepherd dog has led to an appeal for help by a city council. |
| The woman, in her early 20s, was knocked to the ground by the animal and bitten on her arms, legs and head. | The woman, in her early 20s, was knocked to the ground by the animal and bitten on her arms, legs and head. |
| The incident, captured on police CCTV, took place in Donegall Street in Belfast at 0300 GMT on Thursday. | The incident, captured on police CCTV, took place in Donegall Street in Belfast at 0300 GMT on Thursday. |
| The dog was with a man who also had a large white Samoyed or husky-type dog. The woman was treated in hospital for minor injuries and shock. | The dog was with a man who also had a large white Samoyed or husky-type dog. The woman was treated in hospital for minor injuries and shock. |
| Belfast City Council said that despite extensive efforts by their dog warden service, the owner of the black and tan Alsatian-type dog had not been traced. | Belfast City Council said that despite extensive efforts by their dog warden service, the owner of the black and tan Alsatian-type dog had not been traced. |
| Coleen Higgins, interviewed on BBC Radio's Talkback programme, said she was walking along while talking on her mobile telephone when the dog "came out of the blue" and started attacking her. | |
| The dog is dragged away by the unknown man | The dog is dragged away by the unknown man |
| "I did nothing on the dog. It dragged me down by the arm, it went for my head and my leg," she said. | |
| "A husky dog came over as well and it started growling and tried to attack me. | "A husky dog came over as well and it started growling and tried to attack me. |
| "The man then came over and put the lead on the (German Shepherd) dog and started laughing as if it was hilarious and walked away." | "The man then came over and put the lead on the (German Shepherd) dog and started laughing as if it was hilarious and walked away." |
| The council's dog warden manager, Nigel Cardwell, said the combination of dogs was "very unusual". | The council's dog warden manager, Nigel Cardwell, said the combination of dogs was "very unusual". |
| "They are distinctive breeds, and I would be hopeful that someone will know who the owner is - maybe a neighbour or someone living in the same area," he said. | "They are distinctive breeds, and I would be hopeful that someone will know who the owner is - maybe a neighbour or someone living in the same area," he said. |
| "This was absolutely atrocious, an unprovoked attack on a young woman who was lucky to escape with only minor injuries. | "This was absolutely atrocious, an unprovoked attack on a young woman who was lucky to escape with only minor injuries. |
| "There is no guarantee this dog won't attack someone again and we need the public's help to prevent that from happening." | "There is no guarantee this dog won't attack someone again and we need the public's help to prevent that from happening." |
| Mr Cardwell said any information received by the council "would be treated in the strictest confidence." | Mr Cardwell said any information received by the council "would be treated in the strictest confidence." |
| There is no guarantee this dog won't attack someone again and we need the public's help to prevent that from happening Nigel CardwellDog Warden | There is no guarantee this dog won't attack someone again and we need the public's help to prevent that from happening Nigel CardwellDog Warden |
| He said the case showed that not just prescribed breeds could be dangerous. | He said the case showed that not just prescribed breeds could be dangerous. |
| "We are committed to getting all dangerous dogs off our streets - not just those deemed to be dangerous by legislation," he said. | "We are committed to getting all dangerous dogs off our streets - not just those deemed to be dangerous by legislation," he said. |
| "It is the deed and not the breed that concerns us." | "It is the deed and not the breed that concerns us." |
| The male owner is described as being of stocky build and was wearing a black jacket and white 'beanie' hat. | The male owner is described as being of stocky build and was wearing a black jacket and white 'beanie' hat. |
| Anyone with information is asked to contact Belfast City Council's dog warden service on 90 270431 or on the confidential Crimestoppers number 0800 555 111. | Anyone with information is asked to contact Belfast City Council's dog warden service on 90 270431 or on the confidential Crimestoppers number 0800 555 111. |