The father of a little girl who was ‘choked by a dog lead’ in Bolton has spoken of his horror.
Eloise Ashley was out playing with a friend on Little Brow Park in Bromley Cross when the accident happened at around 6pm on Monday. The 10-year-old was stroking a small dog when another large dog bolted towards her.
Witnesses watched on in horror as the dog chased the other animals – wrapping its lead around the 10-year-old's neck in the process. The youngster was entangled for at least 20 seconds before managing to escape.
Once free, the dog owner “abruptly” walked away, according to Eloise’s father Anthony Ashley. Eloise then returned home in tears. She was left bleeding from the neck and still has difficulty eating.
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Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, Anthony said: “It was raised in some areas that were bleeding. It’s now been like that for three days and she has difficulty when eating and things like that.
“I had to ask them a few times to tell me the story numerous times to get my head around what actually occurred. It was difficult to picture it.
“She was crouching down and stroking the dog and apparently a man walking a large bulldog appeared and the dog bolted towards the other days. In doing so, the lead wrapped across her neck and the dog was continuing to pull and chase the other dogs and her neck was all caught in the lead.
“That lasted for a good 20 seconds or so. She was trying to get it off her but the dog was pulling so hard. My daughter’s friend was trying to help, they were able to get the lead off her neck.
“The guy basically walked off quite abruptly with that dog on the lead and left the scene. I was horrified to be honest.”
