Dog attack 'like scene from horror film', says owner

7:00am Tuesday 20th November 2012 in News By James Nadal

Dog attack 'like scene from horror film', says owner Dog attack 'like scene from horror film', says owner

A SHAKEN dog owner says it was "like a scene from a horror film" after her cocker spaniel was pounced on and mauled by two Staffordshire Terriers.

Valerie Gambier, of Claremont Gardens, has sent out a warning to other dog walkers after the attack on Remembrance Sunday in Gossmore Park.

Thames Valley Police have issued the owner of the offending animals with an adult restorative disposal - a form of caution or reprimand for low level crime.

However, due to the fact no people were involved and it was a dog on dog attack it is not considered a case of an animal dangerously out of control, police said.

The offending dogs did not have to be put down as a result of the order.

Eight year-old Oreo suffered damage to his oesophagus, windpipe, throat, jaw and mouth. The injuries meant he has been unable to eat by himself.

Mrs Gambier said: "It was a sunny Remembrance Day, I was with a friend taking my dog for a walk in the park, then out of the blue they suddenly appeared. They would have killed him.

"It was horror and bewilderment as to why this should be happening to a sweet natured elderly dog. "It was like a scene from a horror movie. They both pinned him down, the jaws were locked around his neck and the other one was trying to get his head."

She urged other dog walkers to be on their guard and said she hoped by coming forward similar attacks could be avoided.

Police said disposals such as that issued to the Staffordshire Terriers' owner were introduced to deal with offenders without bringing them into the Criminal Justice system and allow the victim to say what they would like to happen - often just acceptance of wrongdoing and an apology.

Mrs Gambier had paid £75 for vets bills by Wednesday but was expecting to pay more.

Comments (17)

10:57am Tue 20 Nov 12

wycombechick says...

Here we go more negative press for staffies...Because no other breed of dogs would attack another dog would they?!
Was the dog that was 'mauled' on a lead????
Here we go more negative press for staffies...Because no other breed of dogs would attack another dog would they?! Was the dog that was 'mauled' on a lead???? wycombechick

12:05pm Tue 20 Nov 12

pennman says...

A typical Wycombe chav with out of control 'chav-trophy dogs'. Why can't scum dog owners like this be put in prison now, before they escalate to higher level crime? What if a child had been attacked?
A typical Wycombe chav with out of control 'chav-trophy dogs'. Why can't scum dog owners like this be put in prison now, before they escalate to higher level crime? What if a child had been attacked? pennman

12:10pm Tue 20 Nov 12

Staffilover says...

I agree with wycombechic, its always "staffies" that attack, what about the illegal pit bulls that get mistaken for staffs, and the mastifs and so forth, the english bull terriers and the cross breeds?!!! Believe it or not german shepherd attacks are more frequent, we just don't hear about them. Don't tarnish Staffs with the same brush!!
I agree with wycombechic, its always "staffies" that attack, what about the illegal pit bulls that get mistaken for staffs, and the mastifs and so forth, the english bull terriers and the cross breeds?!!! Believe it or not german shepherd attacks are more frequent, we just don't hear about them. Don't tarnish Staffs with the same brush!! Staffilover

12:12pm Tue 20 Nov 12

Ivor'sbestfriend says...

wycombechick wrote:
Here we go more negative press for staffies...Because no other breed of dogs would attack another dog would they?!
Was the dog that was 'mauled' on a lead????
Were the dogs that did the attacking on a lead?
[quote][p][bold]wycombechick[/bold] wrote: Here we go more negative press for staffies...Because no other breed of dogs would attack another dog would they?! Was the dog that was 'mauled' on a lead????[/p][/quote]Were the dogs that did the attacking on a lead? Ivor'sbestfriend

12:34pm Tue 20 Nov 12

Me, just me says...

£75 in vets bills? Is that all? I paid more than that to have a dry patch of skin checked on my dog....cant imagine that the injuries were too bad but i do feel for the dog and the owner, this sort of thing shouldnt happen
£75 in vets bills? Is that all? I paid more than that to have a dry patch of skin checked on my dog....cant imagine that the injuries were too bad but i do feel for the dog and the owner, this sort of thing shouldnt happen Me, just me

2:00pm Tue 20 Nov 12

Stokey says...

wycombechick wrote:
Here we go more negative press for staffies...Because no other breed of dogs would attack another dog would they?!
Was the dog that was 'mauled' on a lead????
Fact! the dogs were out of control regardless of the breed. All this trash talk, next time it could be a child.

Next you'll be saying you pick up the dog mess after your dog fouls on the pavement, in my opinion quite a few dog owners are irresponsible.

I think all owners should require a dog licence too
[quote][p][bold]wycombechick[/bold] wrote: Here we go more negative press for staffies...Because no other breed of dogs would attack another dog would they?! Was the dog that was 'mauled' on a lead????[/p][/quote]Fact! the dogs were out of control regardless of the breed. All this trash talk, next time it could be a child. Next you'll be saying you pick up the dog mess after your dog fouls on the pavement, in my opinion quite a few dog owners are irresponsible. I think all owners should require a dog licence too Stokey

2:14pm Tue 20 Nov 12

samgi1 says...

As a dog owner would be quite happy to have a license. Staffies are a misunderstood breed - unfortunately they are popular with those who do not have the time, patience or decency to train their dog(s) in the correct manner.

Pennman - Gossmore is in Marlow... don't think you can blame that on the 'Wycombe chavs'
As a dog owner would be quite happy to have a license. Staffies are a misunderstood breed - unfortunately they are popular with those who do not have the time, patience or decency to train their dog(s) in the correct manner. Pennman - Gossmore is in Marlow... don't think you can blame that on the 'Wycombe chavs' samgi1

3:33pm Tue 20 Nov 12

realist_highwycombe says...

pennman wrote:
A typical Wycombe chav with out of control 'chav-trophy dogs'. Why can't scum dog owners like this be put in prison now, before they escalate to higher level crime? What if a child had been attacked?
If a child had been attacked then the dogs would have been classed as being "dangerously out of control in a public place" with an added aggravating factor of causing injury to a person.

As such the owner would have been arrested and more than likely taken to court with the animals being made subject to a court order.
[quote][p][bold]pennman[/bold] wrote: A typical Wycombe chav with out of control 'chav-trophy dogs'. Why can't scum dog owners like this be put in prison now, before they escalate to higher level crime? What if a child had been attacked?[/p][/quote]If a child had been attacked then the dogs would have been classed as being "dangerously out of control in a public place" with an added aggravating factor of causing injury to a person. As such the owner would have been arrested and more than likely taken to court with the animals being made subject to a court order. realist_highwycombe

4:37pm Tue 20 Nov 12

J B Blackett says...

pennman wrote:
A typical Wycombe chav with out of control 'chav-trophy dogs'. Why can't scum dog owners like this be put in prison now, before they escalate to higher level crime? What if a child had been attacked?
If you do not know where local parks are , their associated demographics and usages, you probably don't know anything about canines either.
.
Gossmore Park is south of Marlow just off the by-pass - and somewhere where there has been a lot of antisocial behaviour and yobbery in recent months resulting in continuous police patrols and uneasy neighbourhoods.
.
It would be preferable not to write / fabricate quite inaccurate 'facts' about something you seem to know nothing about - ie places , people and dogs.
.
You give the impression you are rather poorly informed somewhat for some reason.
[quote][p][bold]pennman[/bold] wrote: A typical Wycombe chav with out of control 'chav-trophy dogs'. Why can't scum dog owners like this be put in prison now, before they escalate to higher level crime? What if a child had been attacked?[/p][/quote]If you do not know where local parks are , their associated demographics and usages, you probably don't know anything about canines either. . Gossmore Park is south of Marlow just off the by-pass - and somewhere where there has been a lot of antisocial behaviour and yobbery in recent months resulting in continuous police patrols and uneasy neighbourhoods. . It would be preferable not to write / fabricate quite inaccurate 'facts' about something you seem to know nothing about - ie places , people and dogs. . You give the impression you are rather poorly informed somewhat for some reason. J B Blackett

7:54pm Tue 20 Nov 12

laircm says...

Stokey wrote:
wycombechick wrote:
Here we go more negative press for staffies...Because no other breed of dogs would attack another dog would they?!
Was the dog that was 'mauled' on a lead????
Fact! the dogs were out of control regardless of the breed. All this trash talk, next time it could be a child.

Next you'll be saying you pick up the dog mess after your dog fouls on the pavement, in my opinion quite a few dog owners are irresponsible.

I think all owners should require a dog licence too
Here here
[quote][p][bold]Stokey[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]wycombechick[/bold] wrote: Here we go more negative press for staffies...Because no other breed of dogs would attack another dog would they?! Was the dog that was 'mauled' on a lead????[/p][/quote]Fact! the dogs were out of control regardless of the breed. All this trash talk, next time it could be a child. Next you'll be saying you pick up the dog mess after your dog fouls on the pavement, in my opinion quite a few dog owners are irresponsible. I think all owners should require a dog licence too[/p][/quote]Here here laircm

7:56pm Tue 20 Nov 12

laircm says...

realist_highwycombe wrote:
pennman wrote:
A typical Wycombe chav with out of control 'chav-trophy dogs'. Why can't scum dog owners like this be put in prison now, before they escalate to higher level crime? What if a child had been attacked?
If a child had been attacked then the dogs would have been classed as being "dangerously out of control in a public place" with an added aggravating factor of causing injury to a person.

As such the owner would have been arrested and more than likely taken to court with the animals being made subject to a court order.
That is if the child's father had not got to the dog owner(s) first.
[quote][p][bold]realist_highwycombe[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]pennman[/bold] wrote: A typical Wycombe chav with out of control 'chav-trophy dogs'. Why can't scum dog owners like this be put in prison now, before they escalate to higher level crime? What if a child had been attacked?[/p][/quote]If a child had been attacked then the dogs would have been classed as being "dangerously out of control in a public place" with an added aggravating factor of causing injury to a person. As such the owner would have been arrested and more than likely taken to court with the animals being made subject to a court order.[/p][/quote]That is if the child's father had not got to the dog owner(s) first. laircm

12:45pm Wed 21 Nov 12

BabyBoosh says...

Who gives a stuff what breed of the dogs were! Fact is that if a older child or teenager had been walking the dog there could have been a strong possibilty of them being attacked also! Agree with pennman - "chav-trophy dogs".
Who gives a stuff what breed of the dogs were! Fact is that if a older child or teenager had been walking the dog there could have been a strong possibilty of them being attacked also! Agree with pennman - "chav-trophy dogs". BabyBoosh

4:57pm Wed 21 Nov 12

Little Miss says...

Dog owners have a responsibility to maintain control of their dog. If they know that their dog is prone to biting, they shouldn't let it off the lead unless they are absolutely sure it is safe to do so and they should consider muzzling it if the dog is that unpredictable. Their dogs should be trained well enough that they respond to their calls and if they aren't, they should not be let off the lead.

Unfortunately Staffies are sometimes used as fighting dogs and some people keep them irresponsibly, sometimes if you spot a piece of chewed wood hanging off a tree, or a chewed tyre, or even a chewed handle of a wheelie bin, it can be a sad indicator that a dog is being trained as a fighting dog. The dog isn't doing anything wrong, the owners are. That's why I think Staffie's can get a bad wrap, and that isn't their fault.

More often than not people are too afraid to report this type of behaviour.

Staffie's can be wonderful dogs, I know many that are exceptionally happy friendly playful dogs that make wonderful pets. Sadly it's the mistreatment and poor training of some animals that cause them to act in what we may consider a dangerous way.
Dog owners have a responsibility to maintain control of their dog. If they know that their dog is prone to biting, they shouldn't let it off the lead unless they are absolutely sure it is safe to do so and they should consider muzzling it if the dog is that unpredictable. Their dogs should be trained well enough that they respond to their calls and if they aren't, they should not be let off the lead. Unfortunately Staffies are sometimes used as fighting dogs and some people keep them irresponsibly, sometimes if you spot a piece of chewed wood hanging off a tree, or a chewed tyre, or even a chewed handle of a wheelie bin, it can be a sad indicator that a dog is being trained as a fighting dog. The dog isn't doing anything wrong, the owners are. That's why I think Staffie's can get a bad wrap, and that isn't their fault. More often than not people are too afraid to report this type of behaviour. Staffie's can be wonderful dogs, I know many that are exceptionally happy friendly playful dogs that make wonderful pets. Sadly it's the mistreatment and poor training of some animals that cause them to act in what we may consider a dangerous way. Little Miss

11:56pm Wed 21 Nov 12

J B Blackett says...

BabyBoosh wrote:
Who gives a stuff what breed of the dogs were! Fact is that if a older child or teenager had been walking the dog there could have been a strong possibilty of them being attacked also! Agree with pennman - "chav-trophy dogs".
Circumstances show that the owner(s) are probably from Marlow.
.
Not Wycombe as some ill-informed provocative person wrote. Wycombe does not have dogs or people or the associated behaviour as described
[quote][p][bold]BabyBoosh[/bold] wrote: Who gives a stuff what breed of the dogs were! Fact is that if a older child or teenager had been walking the dog there could have been a strong possibilty of them being attacked also! Agree with pennman - "chav-trophy dogs".[/p][/quote]Circumstances show that the owner(s) are probably from Marlow. . Not Wycombe as some ill-informed provocative person wrote. Wycombe does not have dogs or people or the associated behaviour as described J B Blackett

8:49am Thu 22 Nov 12

summera says...

It's a shame people believe every word they read in the press!
Surely there are two sides to every story?
Firstly as every pet owner knows, to suffer such brutal injuries and to get away with a vet bill of just £75 or so, in this day and age is a miracle.
Secondly- Wycombe chavs? Are you claiming that the police are chavs too? As all of you must have read that a staffordshire bull terrier, the first in its breed was recently recruited as a police dog.
People are too quick to judge on what they are fed in the press.
Ask yourselves, if you were assaulted in the street (although any decent parent would tell you not to retaliate) would you stand there and take it? NO.. So when a dog is attacked and bitten, especially a staffie who generally fails to start a fight BUT would never fail to finish, be expected
to stand there and take it?
Unlike 'some' humans animals don't have morals even with a subsequent amount of training.
Yes Staffies are a breed that have a bad rep, because bad rep people have in the past trained them to fight.
But how many of you 'haters' have taken the time to get to know the breed?
Not everyone would agree with the 'chav trophy dog' title that the minority of BFP readers are inclined to verse.

So does the owner of these dogs have a bad rep? How do you really know? Do you assume? Yes!

Just today a Jack Russell was in the press for biting and killing a week old baby... Heaven forbid this breed should be tarred with the same brush!

I guess the owners must be chavs?
Right?
It's a shame people believe every word they read in the press! Surely there are two sides to every story? Firstly as every pet owner knows, to suffer such brutal injuries and to get away with a vet bill of just £75 or so, in this day and age is a miracle. Secondly- Wycombe chavs? Are you claiming that the police are chavs too? As all of you must have read that a staffordshire bull terrier, the first in its breed was recently recruited as a police dog. People are too quick to judge on what they are fed in the press. Ask yourselves, if you were assaulted in the street (although any decent parent would tell you not to retaliate) would you stand there and take it? NO.. So when a dog is attacked and bitten, especially a staffie who generally fails to start a fight BUT would never fail to finish, be expected to stand there and take it? Unlike 'some' humans animals don't have morals even with a subsequent amount of training. Yes Staffies are a breed that have a bad rep, because bad rep people have in the past trained them to fight. But how many of you 'haters' have taken the time to get to know the breed? Not everyone would agree with the 'chav trophy dog' title that the minority of BFP readers are inclined to verse. So does the owner of these dogs have a bad rep? How do you really know? Do you assume? Yes! Just today a Jack Russell was in the press for biting and killing a week old baby... Heaven forbid this breed should be tarred with the same brush! I guess the owners must be chavs? Right? summera

9:05pm Fri 23 Nov 12

wycombechick says...

summera wrote:
It's a shame people believe every word they read in the press!
Surely there are two sides to every story?
Firstly as every pet owner knows, to suffer such brutal injuries and to get away with a vet bill of just £75 or so, in this day and age is a miracle.
Secondly- Wycombe chavs? Are you claiming that the police are chavs too? As all of you must have read that a staffordshire bull terrier, the first in its breed was recently recruited as a police dog.
People are too quick to judge on what they are fed in the press.
Ask yourselves, if you were assaulted in the street (although any decent parent would tell you not to retaliate) would you stand there and take it? NO.. So when a dog is attacked and bitten, especially a staffie who generally fails to start a fight BUT would never fail to finish, be expected
to stand there and take it?
Unlike 'some' humans animals don't have morals even with a subsequent amount of training.
Yes Staffies are a breed that have a bad rep, because bad rep people have in the past trained them to fight.
But how many of you 'haters' have taken the time to get to know the breed?
Not everyone would agree with the 'chav trophy dog' title that the minority of BFP readers are inclined to verse.

So does the owner of these dogs have a bad rep? How do you really know? Do you assume? Yes!

Just today a Jack Russell was in the press for biting and killing a week old baby... Heaven forbid this breed should be tarred with the same brush!

I guess the owners must be chavs?
Right?
Well said!!!!!!!!!!
I am a staffie owner and my dog unfortunately was attacked by a group of staffie's deliberately when he was a puppy. He now is scared of any other dog and IF we walk him and another dog confronts him unfortunately he attacks because he now thinks he is under threat. My dog is always kept on a lead now (through no fault of his own) but obviously because he doesn't get on with other dogs i would not risk him harming someone else's pet or himself. What annoys me is the other dog owners who do let their dogs off leads and their dogs then come over (natural instinct i know) to have a sniff or whatever then either dog can go for the other. This has happened to me a few times, people presume their dog will get on with other dogs, NO, that is not the case, regardless of the breed. Unfortunately as the lady in this article has witnessed these things can happen...So if you don't want to risk any harm to your pet, KEEP IT ON A LEAD! You can get EXTENDABLE ones these days :-)
[quote][p][bold]summera[/bold] wrote: It's a shame people believe every word they read in the press! Surely there are two sides to every story? Firstly as every pet owner knows, to suffer such brutal injuries and to get away with a vet bill of just £75 or so, in this day and age is a miracle. Secondly- Wycombe chavs? Are you claiming that the police are chavs too? As all of you must have read that a staffordshire bull terrier, the first in its breed was recently recruited as a police dog. People are too quick to judge on what they are fed in the press. Ask yourselves, if you were assaulted in the street (although any decent parent would tell you not to retaliate) would you stand there and take it? NO.. So when a dog is attacked and bitten, especially a staffie who generally fails to start a fight BUT would never fail to finish, be expected to stand there and take it? Unlike 'some' humans animals don't have morals even with a subsequent amount of training. Yes Staffies are a breed that have a bad rep, because bad rep people have in the past trained them to fight. But how many of you 'haters' have taken the time to get to know the breed? Not everyone would agree with the 'chav trophy dog' title that the minority of BFP readers are inclined to verse. So does the owner of these dogs have a bad rep? How do you really know? Do you assume? Yes! Just today a Jack Russell was in the press for biting and killing a week old baby... Heaven forbid this breed should be tarred with the same brush! I guess the owners must be chavs? Right?[/p][/quote]Well said!!!!!!!!!! I am a staffie owner and my dog unfortunately was attacked by a group of staffie's deliberately when he was a puppy. He now is scared of any other dog and IF we walk him and another dog confronts him unfortunately he attacks because he now thinks he is under threat. My dog is always kept on a lead now (through no fault of his own) but obviously because he doesn't get on with other dogs i would not risk him harming someone else's pet or himself. What annoys me is the other dog owners who do let their dogs off leads and their dogs then come over (natural instinct i know) to have a sniff or whatever then either dog can go for the other. This has happened to me a few times, people presume their dog will get on with other dogs, NO, that is not the case, regardless of the breed. Unfortunately as the lady in this article has witnessed these things can happen...So if you don't want to risk any harm to your pet, KEEP IT ON A LEAD! You can get EXTENDABLE ones these days :-) wycombechick

4:34pm Sun 25 Nov 12

Dragon1964 says...

agree wycombechick my dog is kept on a lead but the amount of dogs that come and annoy him is untrue when you ask owner to get their dog they have very little or NO recall simple if your dog will not recall on first command it should not be off the leash, that goes for any breed.
agree wycombechick my dog is kept on a lead but the amount of dogs that come and annoy him is untrue when you ask owner to get their dog they have very little or NO recall simple if your dog will not recall on first command it should not be off the leash, that goes for any breed. Dragon1964

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