Felpham woman's dog killed in 'ferocious' attack

Distraught Vivienne Linnell said she was shocked by the ferocity of the assault on two-and-a-half year old Pickles.

She spoke to Arun District Council's dog wardens and the police this week regarding the incident close to her home in Old Coastguards.

"Pickles' screams were horrific," she said. "She was screaming in agony. That will haunt me for the rest of my life."

Ms Linnell had owned Pickles, a cross between a shih tzu and a Spanish terrier, since she was six weeks old. She brought her back from Spain, where she lived for four years, last December when she decided to return to Felpham where she had previously lived for 22 years.

The attack occurred about 4pm on April 4. Ms Linnell and Pickles were walking along a narrow path off Old Coastguards when she claimed the German shepherd, called Santa, ran out of the adjoining back garden of her owner, Jenny Payne, and attacked Pickles.

Retired card merchandiser Ms Linnell (61), a mother of four, explained: "The alsatian pushed me against the fence. It was not interested in me at all. It just went for Pickles as she tried to run away.

"This dog locked on to it with her jaw and shook her like a rat. It was totally unprovoked."

The alsatian let go after Ms Linnell prised her off to leave her covered in blood.

She took a shocked Pickles straight to a vets' surgery. They stapled her two worst wounds together, gave her a painkiller and antibiotics before discharging her after some two hours.

By the next morning, Pickles was rasping and in pain. She was prescribed more painkillers by the vet.

But Pickles was still seriously ill. "Every time she moved, she cried," said Ms Linnell.

She took Pickles back to the vet on April 7. "She was very poorly. The vet kept her in and put her under anaesthetic to see what was going on," she said.

He found Pickles' rear end was badly infected by gangrene from the wounds which had turned black. He could only recommend she be put down.

"That dog was my life," said Ms Linnell. "Everyone who came into contact with her adored her. What happened to her is just too awful."

The German shepherd's owner, Jenny Payne, said Santa was standing next to her in her back garden when she suddenly ran through the back gate.

"I would like to apologise for what happened. It was just an accident. Nothing like this has ever happened before with Santa."