Shropshire dog attack victim still lives in fear - and calls for bullmastiff to be put down

Carole Evans, who says she still has flashbacks to the day of the attack, said she believed the bullmastiff that caused the injuries should have been put down.

Edmund Bradley's pet bullmastiff broke loose from his home in Cleobury Mortimer and attacked Mrs Evans and her pet King Charles spaniel on May 29 last year.

Bradley was ordered to keep the animal under control in public by Telford Magistrates Court after being convicted last month of one charge of not keeping a dog under proper control.

Mrs Evans was thrown to the ground as she tried to protect her pet, Alfie, who was left with puncture wounds and bloodshot eyes.

Bradley, 38, said he was very sorry for what had happened and told magistrates he had offered to pay the victim's vets bills.

But Mrs Evans said she had never been approached with an offer of payment.

"I know nothing about his offer to pay our vet bills and I do not think the investigating officer has heard anything about that before either," she said.

"I believe it was all said to look good in front of the magistrates.

"He also said he was sorry for what happened and that I went to the police and newspaper anyway – but you should have seen the injuries my dog suffered."

Mrs Evans said she had been walking down an passageway in Cleobury Mortimer when she saw the bullmastiff, called Becky, next to a little girl who looked upset.

She said she approached the girl, who told her it was not her dog. The next thing she knew she was in the hedge while Alfie was in the jaws of the other dog.

"I called for help and a man came out and got the dog off," she said.

"I ran home and took Alfie to the vet and took pictures of his injuries. He had several puncture wounds and both his eyes were bloodshot.

"I still get flashbacks about it and whenever Alfie is approached by a dog he is still frightened.

"We said right from the beginning the dog should have been put down because he is such a big dog, which is currently being looked after by a girlfriend.

"I haven't seen it out since but it still lives near me and I would be worried it could break free again."

The court was told the owner of the bullmastiff had been spoken to by police who said the dog had escaped through a hole in the fence in their front garden.

Magistrates made an order that Bradley would have to walk the dog with a lead and muzzle in public or it could be put down.

Bradley told the court the dog was currently living with his partner who is not subject to the order.

He told the court he had been surprised when his dog had bolted through the fence but added he and his partner were not responsible for its maintenance.