Politician lay over dog during Staffordshire bull terrier attack

Jack Sargeant and Coco, his King Charles Cavalier

A politician has described the moment he and his small dog were attacked by two other dogs whilst out walking.

Labour Senedd member Jack Sargeant said he had to lie across Coco, his King Charles Cavalier, to protect her from two Staffordshire bull terriers.

One "had Coco around the neck, causing two puncture wounds to her throat and back of the neck, whilst the other pinned her to the ground," he said.

Mr Sargeant thanked six people who "came to our rescue".

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"The two dogs were running loose and seemed to appear from nowhere," he said.

"I attempted to rescue Coco and I am incredibly grateful to members of the public who answered my calls for help as I was lying over Coco's body in efforts to protect her.

"Without the bravery of the public, Coco would almost certainly not be with us any more. Over two weeks since the attack, my partner and I are still finding wounds to Coco's flesh."

Earlier, in the Senedd, the Alyn and Deeside MS said he was "physically ok from the attack, more mentally shook up from the ordeal".

Coco's neck wound

"Coco, after six visits to the vets, is on the road to recovery," he said, before asking Rural Affairs Minister Lesley Griffiths to consider a responsible dog ownership awareness campaign.

He said it could remind dog owners they are required by law to keep their animals "under proper control in all places, at all times", encourage them to seek advice if they are concerned about their dog's behaviour and urge people to "report any suspicions they have about illegal breeding to their local authorities".

Ms Griffiths said "certainly an awareness campaign is something that we can look at", as part of a "dangerous dogs summit" she was organising, to discuss the problem.

A spokesperson from RSPCA Cymru said it would "welcome a public awareness campaign in Wales for both owners and members of the public who are concerned about dog behaviour".

It added: "Providing the public with the relevant guidance and advice via such a campaign could also help reduce the number of serious incidents involving dogs in Wales, while offering the public some much-needed reassurances."