Slinfold family mourn puppy after dog incident

The father of two girls, aged 11 and 14, said they had been given the responsibility of walking their new chocolate labrador, Fleur, when the puppy was approached and attacked by another dog.

The girls’ father, who does not want the family to be identified, said his daughters loved the puppy.

Neither of the girls were injured in the incident, but Fleur was taken to a vet where she was diagnosed with lung trauma, and later died.

Fleur had been living with the family for just seven weeks.

The father said: “Children fall in love with things very quickly, and having their own puppy was their life. They were so proud of their little puppy.

“The 11-year-old is very shaken and very reluctant to leave the house.

“They are feeling a lot of guilt but they did nothing wrong.”

The girls had experience of walking the family’s older dog.

They had Fleur on a lead and were walking along a public footpath when the incident occurred.

The father said: “The dog started to circle the girls and just went for the puppy.

“The 11-year-old ran away in such a state of fear, but the 14-year-old stood firm.

“The dog was trying to pry the puppy away and the 14-year-old was screaming for help.”

The dog’s owners became aware and took the dog away, he added.

Fleur was taken to Maltman Cosham Veterinary Clinic where vets worked all night attempting to save her life.

The girls’ father said: “The sad thing is it took me about six years to persuade my wife to get another dog and she finally gave in.

“As a family we chose Fleur. She was an early Christmas present for the girls.

“No child should ever have to see their own puppy get attacked and then sadly die due to that attack.”

He expressed gratitude to the vets, as well as people who responded to the children’s cries and came to help.

He added: “One guy tried desperately to separate the two dogs, he showed genuine care and compassion.

“What it does show is people respond to screaming children.”

The father added that he had reported the incident to police.