Swindon woman left 'in shock' after dog attacked in park

Frank the bulldog is now recovering after the attack in a local park

A woman has been left "in shock" after her dog was seriously injured as they walked in a park.

Ruth Lockwood was walking with her 10-year-old bulldog, Frank, in a playing field on Akers Way, Swindon, when it was set upon by an Alsatian cross.

She said, the attacking dog "picked [Frank] up and started swinging him around like a piece of meat".

Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward after the dog's owner is thought to have given false details.

Warning: This story includes a graphic image of an injured animal which readers may find distressing.

Ms Lockwood said she was walking her bulldog, along the edge of Morden Fields in the early afternoon on 11 January when she "heard a noise" behind her.

"I turned around and there was a big, big black-grey dog running towards us being chased by its owner," she said.

"He came up to us, sniffed Frank, stuck his teeth into his back and picked him up and started swinging him around like a piece of meat. Like a teddy bear."

Ms Lockwood says she has already paid out around £2,500 in veterinary bills

She said she "froze" and was in shock and "couldn't believe it was happening".

"We were trying to get his teeth out of Frank's back. And I was just yelling: 'can you get your dog off, can you get your dog off'," she said.

"But you just couldn't release him. It was the first time I've ever, ever heard Frank cry."

Following the attack, Frank had to undergo surgery on his right side because of the "extensive" damage.

"When the vets opened to clean [the bites] it was a lot more extensive then they'd expected," she said.

"He may need surgery on his left side because that side is heavily infected but the vets say he's coped brilliantly."

Ms Lockwood, said it was the first time she has "ever, ever heard Frank cry"

So far, Ms Lockwood has paid out around £2,500 in veterinary bills.

"They said they would pay for his bills but the name, address and phone number they gave me were all fake," she said.

In a statement, Wiltshire Police said: "The dog owners spoke at the scene, however the owner of the attacking dog - described as an Alsatian Akita cross with long greyish fur - is thought to have given false details.

"Anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information is asked to contact us."