A HEAVILY pregnant woman from Frome and her husband say they feared for their lives after they were attacked by two dogs whilst walking at the Westbury White Horse.
Sam Myford and his pregnant wife, Emily Vickery, were attacked by two large mastiff type dogs as they tried to defend their two chihuahuas.
The couple said they screamed for help and feared for their lives during the attack which left both of them with several bite marks and caused Emily to start having contractions.
Speaking to the Frome Times, Emily said, “We were walking back to the car after taking our two dogs for a walk when two big brown dogs started running towards us and barking. Our dogs were on leads but the dogs were running straight for us so we picked them up. The two dogs then started jumping up and biting us, trying to get to our dogs. Sam got the full brunt of the biting because he was trying to protect me. I’m 37 weeks pregnant so we were worried that they would bite my stomach and what impact that would have on our baby.
“The owner was trying to get the dogs under control, but they didn’t have collars on and they were far too big and aggressive for her. She was asking Sam to help put the lead on one of them, but they just kept biting him and she was struggling to get them under control.
“It felt like it was never going to end, it was horrendous and we were both terrified. Luckily, a man from Trowbridge, Kim O’Mally, drove towards us in his car, beeping his horn trying to scare the dogs away. He then got us in his car and he drove us to the vets and then my sister took me to the hospital. The dogs were still jumping up at the car as we drove away.
“It isn’t true that the owner fled the scene, she did stay there to give us her details apparently, but we were so worried about the baby and one of our dogs was really hurt, so we needed to get to the vets and hospital as quick as possible.
“I would be horrified if my dogs attacked people like that, and I’m sure the owner didn’t mean for it to happen but, there’s no two ways about it, she had absolutely no control over her dogs and they were too big for her. They had no collars on and should have been on leads.
“I was bitten on my hands, legs and bum and Sam was bitten all over, he’s still on antibiotics for the wounds. I started having contractions because of the shock of the attack but the doctors managed to stop them. One of our dogs is still at the vets and is due to have an operation soon.
“It was the first time we’d been to the White Horse since moving to Westbury from Frome in September, but after that experience, we won’t be going back.”
PC Matt Fry said, “This was an extremely terrifying experience for the couple and their small dogs. Both chihuahuas have had to receive emergency veterinary care overnight. Fortunately their injuries are not thought to be life-threatening and they are expected to make a full recovery.
“The male victim was treated in hospital for several bite marks to his body, while his wife also attended a hospital as a precaution due to her being heavily pregnant.
“Please note, the owners of the dogs subject to the bite allegations at Westbury White Horse on Sunday evening have come forward and are co-operating fully with our investigation.
“We will not be making any further comments at this stage while the investigation continues.”
