A Scots family's beloved golden Labrador had its neck ripped open by an out-of-control dog who broke free from it's lead and launched a "brutal and savage" attack.
Poor Lucky, 4, was on a walk with his owner's partner, Dean Fairgrieve, in Haddington, East Lothian, on Sunday July 11 when he was mauled by a Staffordshire Bull Terrier cross American Bulldog.
Dean had taken Kaitlin Millar's family dog on a morning stroll after leaving his friend's house on Lynn Lea Avenue when a dangerous dog attacked.
The 30-year-old told the Record: "I was walking and the next thing I heard this guy shouting and I seen this dog running.
"The dog came running right round my leg and clamped onto the side of my partner's dog's neck. If the dog had turned to see what was going on he would be dead.
"Neighbours were out chucking water over it to try get it off. The boy who was out with the dog said it didn't belong to him.
"I was shouting 'do something' and he said 'it's not my dog, I don't know what to do'.
"I tried to get the dog to let go of Lucky but it had locked on. I was kicking at the side of it's mouth then managed to get a stick into it's mouth so it locked onto that instead.
"Lucky is traumatised - I'd say he went into shock."
The Labrador was rushed to the vets after the attack and has since had to have surgery on his neck.
The poorly pooch was also treated for an infection after being bitten by the vicious animal.
Owner Kaitlin, 25, said her friendly dog who wouldn't hurt a fly hasn't been the same since the incident.
She claims the owner of the dog who attacked Lucky became aggressive when she contacted them down on social media.
Kaitlin said: "It's been horrible, the dog is absolutely traumatised. He is not the same dog as he was before.
"It even traumatised me. I heard a dog yelp from my partner's kitchen and I didn't realise it was my dog being attacked.
"My little boys can't go near him or touch him and they're so used to being all over him. They are absolutely devastated. As soon as they seen the dog they burst into tears - I burst into tears.
"He is such a good natured dog. He is so friendly and so good with kids. He is even friendly with cats.
"It was a brutal, savage attack."
The family has now been left with a vet bill of nearly £800 so far and it looks like treatment for Lucky's injuries will remain ongoing.
Kaitlin works part-time as well as looking after her kids Jack, 7, and Findlay, 3, and can barely afford the fee.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 10.15am on Sunday 11 July, officers received a report of a dog injured by another dog outside a house in Lynn Lea Avenue in Haddington.
"Advice was given on the relevant agencies to contact regarding this matter.”
A spokesperson for East Lothian Council said: “Following an altercation between two dogs in Haddington, both owners were offered advice on dog control. The dog causing the injury was dealt with under the Control of Dogs Act 2010 and measures taken should ensure there is no repeat incident.”
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