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Pet owners in Collier Street near Marden fear for their animals' lives after dog attacks other pets

A series of vicious attacks on dogs have left pet owners fearing for the wellbeing of their beloved animals after one pet was mauled to death.

There have been multiple attacks in Collier Street, near Marden, in recent months and all of them are thought to have been caused by the same dog.

Most of the attacks left the dogs seriously injured but the most recent encounter, on May 2, ended up with a dog being killed.

There are more than 10 separate police reports currently against the dog and its owner and three owners have told KentOnline about what happened to their pets.

Aydon Smith, 30, and his partner Irina Jeginova, 36, are the most recent victims after Bailey, their eight-year-old Dachshund-Shitzu, cross did not survive.

They were in their own garden when the large Bully breed dog took its owner by surprise and pulled itself towards Bailey, through the open gate in their back garden and mauled the small dog.

Mr Smith said: "When Bailey was attacked the first thing I thought was to collect evidence and find out from others who had their dogs attacked. I just knocked on all the doors down my road and I was absolutely mind blown by how many knew about it."

Bailey all snuggled in a blanket. Picture: Aydon Smith
Bailey all snuggled in a blanket. Picture: Aydon Smith

Mr Smith's inquiries led him to Jeff, 65, and Cindy, 63, Hawes and Louis Murdoch, 23, who both had their black Labradors – Coco and Tilly respectively – seriously injured. All the owners say the attack was carried out by the same dog.

Coco was attacked last year shortly after the owners moved to the area.

Mrs Hawes was walking with Coco when the aggressive dog ran out from its home.

Cindy said: "It first bit her ear then started to choke Coco; squeezing its grip tighter.

"I tried to get between them but it had a good hold on her, it wouldn't let go.

Cindy Hawes with her black labrador, Coco, who was the first dog to be attacked. Pcture Aydon Smith
Cindy Hawes with her black labrador, Coco, who was the first dog to be attacked. Pcture Aydon Smith

"There were four workers in a garden nearby who luckily heard me calling for help and managed to get the dog to let go.

"If it wasn't for them, Coco probably wouldn't have survived."

Mr Murdoch's dog, Tilly, was attacked a week before Bailey's death and if it wasn't for his intervention, she could have met a similar fate.

They went for a walk around the field behind their house where they met the aggressive dog which began attacking the 10-year-old Lab.

Mr Murdoch said: “I got over there as quickly as I could but whilst I pulled on Tilly’s harness, their dog had hold of her side which soon split open.

“Whilst it was happening, I was screaming to the owner your dog is going to kill my dog.”

Louis rescued his dog Tilly from the jaws of an aggressive dog. Picture: Louis Murdoch
Louis rescued his dog Tilly from the jaws of an aggressive dog. Picture: Louis Murdoch
Tilly Recovering from her dog attack. Picture: Louis Murdoch
Tilly Recovering from her dog attack. Picture: Louis Murdoch
Tilly after her first session of laser treatment on the damaged area. Picture: Louis Murdoch
Tilly after her first session of laser treatment on the damaged area. Picture: Louis Murdoch

Despite numerous reported attacks on pets throughout the village and in the nearby area, the police are yet to intervene.

A spokesman said: “Kent Police is aware of reports concerning the behaviour of a dog in Collier Street.

"Officers have spoken to the owner of the dog and no criminal offences have been identified.”

Advice from the RSPCA states it is an offence for dogs to attack assitance dogs but it is not a criminal offence if a dog attacks a pet dog.

The charity advises owners to report any attack to the police immediately.

With the lack of action being taken, members of the community say they feel let down by the authorities.

Mr Smith said: “It feels like a huge failing of the police system that they won't act pre-emptively on this."

Police say no offences have been found so far
Police say no offences have been found so far

Mr Murdoch said: “The police said you have to feel like you’ve been threatened which is a joke. Of course I felt threatened.

"After it got off my dog it started coming for me which if it wasn’t on a lead, it would have.”

The owners have been warned by police and told to muzzle the dog but it is a warning which is said to have gone unheeded.

Mr Smith said: “I know they have been warned about it and if it was muzzled, little Bailey would still be around today.”

Maidstone Borough Council, which runs the borough's dog warden services, says it is investigating the incidents.

A council spokesman said: “Our Animal Welfare Officer has been made aware of these dog-on-dog attacks and is working closely with Kent Police to investigate these.

“We do have the power to issue Fixed Penalty Notices when there is sufficient evidence."

The RSPCA offered advice to dog owners concerned about the behaviour of their pets.

A spokesman said: "We promote responsible dog ownership and encourage all dog owners to ensure their pets are well-socialised, have basic training, and have access to a good diet, regular exercise and suitable vet check-ups.

"Dogs can show aggression for all sorts of different reasons, such as fear and anxiety, or even injury or poor health.

"We'd urge anyone who is concerned about the behaviour of their dog to speak to their vet or a clinical animal behaviourist for help."

If anyone has any further information email animalwelfare@maidstone.gov.uk or call 01622 602202.

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