Brian Keable with his Spaniel 'Misty'. Brian's dog was attacked at the weekend by another dog near a childrens play area in Beccles.

Springer spaniel needs 30 stitches after dog attack near children’s play area in Beccles

By RICHARD WOOD Tuesday, February 14, 2012
9:24 AM

A much-loved dog had to have 30 stitches on Saturday after being attacked by another dog near a children’s play area in Beccles.

The springer spaniel was outside the play area near St Annes Road when the other dog jumped through a hedge to attack her, leaving her severely injured and in need of extensive surgery.

Yesterday, dedicated owner Brian Keable, of St Georges Road, spoke of the traumatic moment that he saw his trusty dog Misty attacked.

Mr Keable, 75, said: “It went straight through the hedge and bowled her over. She did not fight back, she just rolled over on her back, and was screaming and screaming.

“All her skin was hanging torn and she was bleeding profusely, so my concern was to get her to the vets.”

Mr Keable had been walking his  12-year-old dog, which has arthritis, along the path at around 3.30pm, when he saw the other dog, which he described as black and possibly a Staffordshire type, inside the play area.

He said he often walks Misty with children of friends of the family, and feared it could have been even worse.

Mr Keable, a former naval engineer, said: “Several boys and girls take Misty to Darby Road park to play and families there always make a fuss of her, so had they been with me or in that situation, it does not bear thinking about what could have happened.” Since surgery, Misty has slept most of the time and is on antibiotics. Mr Keable, who first chose Misty when his late wife was very ill, has even slept on the sofa to stop her licking her wounds.

His wife Doreen said: “She’s been really traumatised and whenever anyone comes in she is straight under the table.”

The couple have 14 grandchildren and one great-granddaughter between them and Mrs Keable, 75, added that Misty is a key part of the family.

“Ever since it happened I’ve felt sick. She has come everywhere with us, she’s been all over the world,” she said.

Angela Fleming, director of Wherry Veterinary Practice, in Bungay, said these types of attacks have become more common in the past five years.

She said: “We see at least twice a month where there are serious injuries involved.

“Fortunately, there have not been serious injuries involving a child or adult, but some dogs do have to be put down.”

Suffolk police are looking into the matter as the dog was off the lead in a children’s play area. Officers are keen to talk to the owner and anyone with any information should call PC Stirling Parsk on 101.

Latest News

13 comments

Three weeks ago my 13 year old cocker spaniel smudge was attacked by two french bull mastiffs who's owner had left the gate open. They just ran up and started attacking my innocent little dog. If it was wasn't for a wonderful lady who heard my screams and helped me, they would have killed our much loved pet. She was left extremely tramatised and needed 28 stitches in a chest wound and 10 in a wound to her ear. I have been left tramatised as well. So I know just how misty and her owner must be feeling. I would like to wish misty a speedy recovery.

Report this comment

avril

Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Not all dogs need to be kept on a lead, the majority of dogs are no threat to people or other dogs at all - where would you suggest is a safe place for dogs to be off the lead?? You cannot keep dogs on the lead at all times, they need exercise and walking alone will not give enough exercise for my dog. I have a cocker spaniel who needs a lot of exercise. I do however agree that all agressive dogs be kept on a lead at all times as these breeds are known to be agressive, I have had a couple of run ins with nasty dogs (and owners!) myself, at Beccles Common and Darby Park.

Report this comment

Alfie

Tuesday, February 14, 2012
I really hope poor Misty will be okay, as owners of two beautiful Springers ourselves we also get really worried about Staffie type dogs being loose on our local park, the owners always say they are harmless or playing obviously they are unable to read the news as vicious dog attacks with those kind of breeds make the news all the time. Dogs do need to run free they can't be on leads all the time and we are fast running out of places that they can go. However dangerous dogs should never be free and any fighting dog breed is dangerous once they get a hold of your dog they clamp their jaws and don't let go, people who own these dogs are often owners just to show how aggresive their dogs can be and how many stupid horse brass type collars they can wear, there are more of these dogs in rescue centers than any other breed and sadly more are destroyed than any other breeds, isn't it time these dangerous breeds were banned and the owners made responsible for them by giving them much bigger fines and prison sentences! Good luck Misty hope you are better soon girl x

Report this comment

lesleycabby

Tuesday, February 14, 2012
i totaly aggre all dogs should be on a lead.in darby park a lot of dog owners let there dogs off there leads and do not clear up there dogs mess as they are no where near there dog at the time.bring back the dog warden and check out these parks.and make sure there dog is on a lead.

Report this comment

stansmith

Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Something has to change in the law for owning dogs, as a dog owner myself I would be happy if it was made the law to have all dogs on leads in public places and for all dogs to be microchipped, even bring back the old dog licence.( I would like to know if it still practise to give people on benefits extra money if they own a dog as I think this is asking for trouble) Anyone not complying with the law should have their dog taken away. I would also ask anyone with children not to allow them to be in charge of walking their dog or to let them run towards a strange dog to stroke them without asking permission first, I find this happens daily.

Report this comment

Queenie

Tuesday, February 14, 2012
There's a lot of truth in the saying that dogs are like their owners. Perhaps after incidents such as these it should be the dog and the owner that are both put down.

Report this comment

Elizabeth Adkins

Tuesday, February 14, 2012
My poor little Misty!

Report this comment

Georgie Sampson

Tuesday, February 14, 2012
My poor little Misty!

Report this comment

Georgie Sampson

Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Sad. That is why you should have leash laws.

Report this comment

Diana B

Tuesday, February 14, 2012
always found it odd that a dog owner will think there is nothing wrong with a large and potentially aggresive dog running at speed towards a walker, dogs of all sizes should be on a lead

Report this comment

blister

Tuesday, February 14, 2012
I feel so sorry for the dog and the owner. I have always had dogs but I'm afraid that my current dog will be my last because I no longer enjoy dogwalking due to irresponsible dog owners. I am sick to death of asking people to put their aggressive, boisterous or intimidating dogs on a lead. Some owners swear at you, some laugh at you and say "he's only playing" and others just completely ignore you. Dogs should be on a lead in a public place. That is the only way these attacks will end.

Report this comment

samphirelover

Tuesday, February 14, 2012
in the last week a liitle girl had her face ripped off by a dog in London, a pensioner was savaged and died as result of dog attack, it is high time dog owners took responsibilty for their animals, we all have a right to go walking etc without being bothered by dogs off their lead

Report this comment

blister

Tuesday, February 14, 2012
"dog was off the lead in a children's play area" i quote from the bottom of the article. All dogs should be on leads --why scare kids and walkers?

Report this comment

bookworm

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

More News

Click here to read more of our digital publications