Rescued terrier savaged by greyhounds

9:25am Wednesday 6th March 2013 in News Photograph of the Author By Kate Liptrot, Crime Reporter

Scott, the Scottish terrier, pictured before he was attacked by four greyhounds Scott, the Scottish terrier, pictured before he was attacked by four greyhounds

A RESCUE dog nursed back to health after being found abandoned by a road has been savaged by dogs at a York country estate.

Helen Ridge was walking her mother’s four-year-old Scottish terrier, Scott, at Beningbrough Hall at the weekend when it was attacked by four greyhounds.

Scott suffered puncture wounds all over his body, a deep cut to his ear and swelling to his leg and Ms Ridge has suffered bad bites on her leg and arm after rescuing him.

Ms Ridge said she felt the greyhounds would have killed Scott had she not intervened.

The Press ran a story about Scott and his owner Sheila Leach, 78, of Rawcliffe, late last year after she nursed him back to health when he was found abandoned by a road in April 2012.

He was filthy, emaciated and covered in sores with feet so badly swollen he could not stand, but had been nursed back to full health.

Mrs Leach said the owners of the greyhounds had told Ms Ridge they did not like small dogs.

She said: “What really appalled me was the thought if that had been a young child or there had been one there at the time? Not only would they have been traumatised by what they had seen but they could have become involved.

“People with dogs which they know don’t like small dogs should not take them out without a muzzle on.

“Scott has been quiet since it happened, he has been lying about and sleeping. He will get better, but it will take time.”

North Yorkshire Police confirmed the incident had been reported to them.

Comments(17)

Woody G Mellor says...
9:42am Wed 6 Mar 13

Its not just the breeds you read about in the Daily Fail etc. Greyhounds (not all) do have a tendency to be pretty vicious on occasions. My Lab, who's a big lad, as in well built, always gives them a wide berth when he spots them. It usually turns out he's being over cautious.

But the owners of the said dogs MUST be more responsible. There is no excuse.

Hope little Scott is back to his normal self soon.

Report this post »

akuma says...
9:44am Wed 6 Mar 13

It's very unusual for Greyhounds to be that aggressive.

I would like if the Press could flesh out the story more by adding details like if the dogs were on leads, where were the Greyhound's owners? Were they questioned?

Come on Press we need details.

Report this post »

sheps lad says...
10:00am Wed 6 Mar 13

Greyhounds retired from racing have a tendency to chase and attack anything that looks remotely like the hare they were trained to chase.

Report this post »

again says...
10:31am Wed 6 Mar 13

Bucket of cold water, anyone?

..quickly now..

Report this post »

MadHaxMan says...
10:38am Wed 6 Mar 13

Latest edition of Private Eye (essential reading for an Urban Revolutionary like me) comments on the recent "fox attacks baby" stories.
According to PE, 6000 children attend hospital each year as a result of dog bites - 4 attended for fox attacks in the last 10 years. Dogs are never 100% safe, either with humans or other dogs. The greyhound owners in this case seem to have acted with total lack of responsibility and should be prosecuted, plus pay the resulting vet's bills.

Report this post »

BL2 says...
11:09am Wed 6 Mar 13

akuma wrote:
It's very unusual for Greyhounds to be that aggressive.

I would like if the Press could flesh out the story more by adding details like if the dogs were on leads, where were the Greyhound's owners? Were they questioned?

Come on Press we need details.
I know a few greyhound owners who would never let them out without a muzzle on! Any small animal is there to be attacked if they see it...

Report this post »

Saywhat says...
12:12pm Wed 6 Mar 13

The irresponsible owners should have muzzled the dogs. tut tut.
Why did the end of the story not conclude with the fact the dogs had been put down.
If it had been a pit-bull attacking someone it would have been destroyed.
Why do these dogs get away with nearly killing another dog, and inflicting bad bites on a human.

Report this post »

Zetkin says...
1:19pm Wed 6 Mar 13

Every greyhound owner should be made aware that the ex-racers they are likely to have got from the dogs' home are trained to chase and attack small furry things.

I've owned several, and kept them securely on the lead whenever they were out of the house, and muzzled whenever they were likely to come into contact with cats or small dogs.

That said, they are superb affectionate pets, only require moderate exercise, and are brilliant with children, so don't let stories like this put you off - just take the proper precautions when you take the dog out for a walk.

Report this post »

alfie says...
2:00pm Wed 6 Mar 13

Poor scott I hope he recovers ok, bloody owners of the greyhounds need a good kick.

Report this post »

MissConstrood says...
3:10pm Wed 6 Mar 13

Poor dog - hope he makes a full recovery.
Saywhat - thats a bit harsh - the greyhounds were doing what they are trained to do - its the owner that should be put down not them!
Greyhounds make wonderful pets, and all advise given when people rehome them is not to let them off the lead. They are sight dogs and see things much further away than we do. Also, as with most breeds - when there is more than one - they will revert to their pack instinct. I too hope as Zetkin says, this story and some of its ignorant comments does not people off adopting these amazing creatures.

Report this post »

eeoodares says...
4:50pm Wed 6 Mar 13

Saywhat wrote:
The irresponsible owners should have muzzled the dogs. tut tut.
Why did the end of the story not conclude with the fact the dogs had been put down.
If it had been a pit-bull attacking someone it would have been destroyed.
Why do these dogs get away with nearly killing another dog, and inflicting bad bites on a human.
Is it about time you changed your name to knee-jerk?

Report this post »

PKH says...
8:40pm Wed 6 Mar 13

The other month I came across the owners of 2 greyhounds that were loose in the field, the owner had the audacity to request I put my dog on the lead because theirs were aggressive, needless to say they got the sharp end of my tongue and told them that if their dogs came anywhere near mine I would strike first. They then hurried out of the field.

Report this post »

PKH says...
8:42pm Wed 6 Mar 13

I had a golfing brolly with me at the time.

Report this post »

Fourkov says...
9:00pm Wed 6 Mar 13

Member of the dog family attacked by pack of dogs.

Bloodthirsty inbred country bumpkins will approve.

Report this post »

Mandak says...
10:50pm Wed 6 Mar 13

Some people shouldn't be allowed dogs if they are unwilling or unable to control them. My boxer puppy was bitten last week by a Scotty dog who was on an extendable lead. The owner allowed her barking, growling dog to run at my puppy and bite the back of her legs, I had to scoop her up to protect her! The dog continued to jump and snap at me while I held my dog, when I told her to pull it back or I'd kick it, she told me "don't you dare!" What if that had been a child? Disgusting behaviour and not from the dog!! People don't take proper responsibility for their dogs, as this one had clearly not been properly socialised. Hope that poor little chap is on the mend soon.

Report this post »

Old_Man says...
5:29pm Thu 7 Mar 13

Do any of you self-proclaimed "experts" own a greyhound? If not then why not find out some facts about these gentle creatures before spouting your drivel?

Report this post »

spottycow says...
9:56pm Thu 7 Mar 13

I would like to meet these greyhound owners with my dogs and see how they would like it , it would be a no contest ,COWARDS

Report this post »

click2find

About cookies

We want you to enjoy your visit to our website. That's why we use cookies to enhance your experience. By staying on our website you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more about the cookies we use.

I agree