Blind woman collapses in street as bulldogs maul her guide dog
A blind woman collapsed in the street after her guide dog was mauled by two American bulldogs.
Kathy Worthington, 48, was walking home from Tesco when her black Labrador, Kimba, was attacked.
The dogs pounced on the five-year-old and savaged him while Kathy lay helpless on the ground.
Her partner rushed out of Tesco and struggled to free Kimba from the bulldogs, while other bystanders in Dovecot, Liverpool, used a pole to fend them off.
Kathy told the Liverpool Echo: ‘I couldn’t really see what was going because I’m registered blind, but I first heard my partner shout, “Kathy, watch the dog.”
‘Then I felt two big dogs on me and he was trying to get them off me. One of the bulldogs was running around, biting Kimba, I was hysterical.
‘I collapsed in shock, it was horrendous. I could just hear my dog yelping, and people saying, “they are going to kill him!” It was so horrific. It probably lasted about two minutes, but it seemed like forever.’
Kimba was taken to the vets and had an injection for the pain, and wounds to his neck and side were cleaned.
Kathy added: ‘Kimba seems ok now, he was very nervous over the weekend.
‘I won’t be ready to go out with him again for some time, it’s been a bit of a lifeline being able to go for walks with him.’
Merseyside Police confirmed the owner of the bulldogs has come forward and is supporting their investigation.
Detective Inspector Jennie Beck said: ‘This has caused a great deal of distress to the owner of the injured Labrador, who is registered blind and relies heavily on the assistance of her dog.
‘I would like to remind all dog owners to take extra care and apply appropriate security measures to protect both dogs and their owners.
‘Incidents like these are unacceptable and can cause a long-term harm, or worse.
‘Please, keep an eye on your dogs at all times and keep them on a lead while out in public.’
The dogs pounced on the five-year-old and savaged him while Kathy lay helpless on the ground.
Her partner rushed out of Tesco and struggled to free Kimba from the bulldogs, while other bystanders in Dovecot, Liverpool, used a pole to fend them off.
Kathy told the Liverpool Echo: ‘I couldn’t really see what was going because I’m registered blind, but I first heard my partner shout, “Kathy, watch the dog.”
‘Then I felt two big dogs on me and he was trying to get them off me. One of the bulldogs was running around, biting Kimba, I was hysterical.
‘I collapsed in shock, it was horrendous. I could just hear my dog yelping, and people saying, “they are going to kill him!” It was so horrific. It probably lasted about two minutes, but it seemed like forever.’
Kimba was taken to the vets and had an injection for the pain, and wounds to his neck and side were cleaned.
Kathy added: ‘Kimba seems ok now, he was very nervous over the weekend.
‘I won’t be ready to go out with him again for some time, it’s been a bit of a lifeline being able to go for walks with him.’
Merseyside Police confirmed the owner of the bulldogs has come forward and is supporting their investigation.
Detective Inspector Jennie Beck said: ‘This has caused a great deal of distress to the owner of the injured Labrador, who is registered blind and relies heavily on the assistance of her dog.
‘I would like to remind all dog owners to take extra care and apply appropriate security measures to protect both dogs and their owners.
‘Incidents like these are unacceptable and can cause a long-term harm, or worse.
‘Please, keep an eye on your dogs at all times and keep them on a lead while out in public.’
