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Wednesday, 14 February 2007, 19:59 GMT

Woman's terror during dog attack

CCTV image of the attack An attack in which a woman was mauled by a German Shepherd dog has led to an appeal for help by a city council.

The woman, in her early 20s, was knocked to the ground by the animal and bitten on her arms, legs and head.

The incident, captured on police CCTV, took place in Donegall Street in Belfast at 0300 GMT on Thursday.

The dog was with a man who also had a large white Samoyed or husky-type dog. The woman was treated in hospital for minor injuries and shock.

Belfast City Council said that despite extensive efforts by their dog warden service, the owner of the black and tan Alsatian-type dog had not been traced.

Coleen Higgins, interviewed on BBC Radio's Talkback programme, said she was walking along while talking on her mobile telephone when the dog "came out of the blue" and started attacking her.

Coleen Higgins

"I did nothing on the dog. It dragged me down by the arm, it went for my head and my leg," she said.

"A husky dog came over as well and it started growling and tried to attack me.

"The man then came over and put the lead on the (German Shepherd) dog and started laughing as if it was hilarious and walked away."

The council's dog warden manager, Nigel Cardwell, said the combination of dogs was "very unusual".

"They are distinctive breeds, and I would be hopeful that someone will know who the owner is - maybe a neighbour or someone living in the same area," he said.

"This was absolutely atrocious, an unprovoked attack on a young woman who was lucky to escape with only minor injuries.

"There is no guarantee this dog won't attack someone again and we need the public's help to prevent that from happening."

Mr Cardwell said any information received by the council "would be treated in the strictest confidence."

"There is no guarantee this dog won't attack someone again and we need the public's help to prevent that from happening"
Nigel Cardwell
Dog Warden


He said the case showed that not just proscribed breeds could be dangerous.

"We are committed to getting all dangerous dogs off our streets - not just those deemed to be dangerous by legislation," he said.

"It is the deed and not the breed that concerns us."

The male owner is described as being of stocky build and was wearing a black jacket and white 'beanie' hat.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Belfast City Council's dog warden service on 90 270431 or on the confidential Crimestoppers number 0800 555 111.




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