AN Alton woman whose Cairn terrier was savagely attacked as it sat next to her on a bench in Flood Meadows has this week issued a warning to other owners who walk their dogs there over what she describes as a “dangerous Husky”.

“The dog, I have been told, has already attacked two other dogs and I was left with a vet’s bill for £1,100 for my dog Zola whose stomach was pierced by this Husky,” said Anita Sykes.

The attack happened on October 29 while Anita and her husband, Peter, were sitting on a bench with their two dogs, 12-year-old Zola and Charley, who is six, and Zola’s daughter.

“We had just walked them in Flood Meadows and were sitting in the sunshine when suddenly from behind came this large, light-coloured dog. I saw it was a Husky. It came up to Zola, who was lying on the bench, sniffed her nose then opened its mouth and bit into her stomach.

“I tried to push it away and it bit my hand and then my husband grabbed it by the collar while we were both shouting for help and asking if anyone knew whose dog it was.

“My hand was bleeding and Zola was yelping in pain when a man in his twenties came walking over and put a lead on the dog and, although we were yelling for help, walked away without saying anything.

“I followed him and he went to a semi-detached house at the bottom of the road facing Flood Meadows and went in. I knocked on the door and another man opened it, saw me, and slammed it in my face.”

Anita said her first thought was getting help for her dog although at that time she didn’t know how badly it had been hurt.

“Zola had to spend a night at a vet’s in Farnham before being brought back to Alton for an operation and they found the dog’s teeth had pierced her stomach and caused a hernia.”

Zola had to be carefully nursed and carried over the next few weeks in case she tore any of her stitches but is now on the road to recovery.

Anita, who needed medical treatment for her hand, reported the incident to the police. She also called the East Hampshire dog warden.

“He told me the dog must wear a muzzle when it goes out, but I don’t think any action is being taken,” said Anita.

“I am thinking of trying to sue the owner through the small-claims court to cover the cost of the vet’s bill but I also want to warn other dog owners who walk in Flood Meadows to be careful in case this dog gets out again.”

East Hampshire District Council (EHDC) has since told the Herald that, while it will be up to the police to deal with the biting of the woman’s hand, its animal welfare officer has taken action and served the owner of the Husky with a community protection notice warning, telling him that this dog must not be allowed to escape from the property and when walking outside should be on a lead and wearing a muzzle. If the owner fails to adhere to these conditions, a community protection notice proper will be served which, if breached, will result in a prosecution being brought and, if found guilty, could mean a fine of up to £2,500.