People were 'sickened' after a woman claimed she was left with a black eye from being whipped in the face with a lead by a professional dog walker.
Emma Clay, 36, was walking her seven pugs in Cricketers Park near Sandown Lane, Wavertree, when she saw the owner of Diamond Doggy Care, Nikki O'Donoghue, arguing with a man at around 1.30pm on Wednesday, August 11.
She claims she went over to the pair to try and defuse the situation, but that Mrs O'Donoghue accused her of "siding" with the man.
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She claims things became heated, which led Miss Clay to begin recording with her phone.
Two sequences of mobile footage, recorded by both Miss Clay and by a witness, show Mrs O'Donoghue stood by her van and then re-entering the park to confront Miss Clay.
She attempts to grab the phone out of Miss Clay's hands before twirling a dog lead and eventually whipping it into her face as Miss Clay tries to back away.
Mrs O'Donoghue then left the scene in her van.
Speaking to the ECHO today, Mrs O'Donoghue said she accepted striking Miss Clay with the lead, but claimed she "lost her temper" after being "verbally abused".
Merseyside Police confirmed officers are investigating reports of an assault and have invited a woman to attend a voluntary interview.
A spokeswoman said: "It was reported that, following a verbal altercation in Cricketers Park, near Sandown Lane, a woman was hit in the face with a dog lead.
"The female suspect then made off in a white Renault van.
"The victim suffered minor injuries to her face and was left shaken by the incident.
"Patrols attended the scene and, following enquires, a woman is due to voluntarily attend at a police station for interview by officers."
ECHO readers were left disgusted and sickened by the footage of the attack.
Krystelle Moorcroft said: "Shameless, utter disgrace.."
Alexandra Devlin said: "I’m actually sickened someone who is entrusted with animals would behave this way. You can see how scared the dogs are."
Michelle Bridson said: "She was following her swinging that lead."
Gemma Fleming said: "Can’t believe my eyes!!"
Miss Clay describes her pugs, named Buddy; Eric; Rico; Macy; Button; Beau and Coco, as her "babies" after cancer treatment left her unable to have children.
But now she says she feels she cannot go into the park to walk her pack.
The attack also left her with a black eye.
Merseyside Police asked anyone who witnessed this incident or with any information to contact Merseyside Police social media desk via Twitter @MerPolCC or Facebook ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’ with reference 21000559171.
