"A child could be next": Labrador owner says…

"A child could be next": Labrador owner says 'dangerously out of control' dog mauled his pet

A man whose labrador was attacked by a vicious dog says he is 'seriously concerned a child could be next'.

Ben Hargreaves was out walking his black labrador Oscar at Buile Hill Park in Salford on Friday (November 18) when he says another dog - described as a 'pit bull terrier' type breed - charged towards them and started attacking his pet 'unprovoked'.

He claims he was walking his two-year-old dog on a lead before the terrier spotted Oscar, ran towards him and bit him on the side of the face. Photos taken afterwards show Oscar's left cheek injured after he had been taken to a vet for treatment.

Following the incident, a distressed Ben began filming the owner of the other dog as he repeatedly asked for them details. In the clip seen by the M.E.N , they can be heard refusing to give him their details for him to report the incident to the police.

Speaking to the Manchester Evening News , Ben, from Salford, said: "I was walking my dog on his lead along the path near the exit to opposite Derby Road. At this point, some kind of bull terrier spotted my dog, came running over and attacked him completely unprovoked.

His two-year-old labrador Oscar had a bite mark on his cheek after the attack (Ben Hargreaves)

"It bit my dog on the side of the face with such force that he required emergency veterinary treatment. After this initial attack, my dog released himself at which point they continued fighting. The owner of the aggressive bull terrier came over and was unable to get control for her dog to stop.

"As my dog was still on the lead, I tried to steer them as they were fighting. It got so severe that I had to use my feet to try and remove the attacking dog from my dog. At this point I was scratched by the aggressive dog on the leg."

Ben, from Salford has since reported the attack to the police, who say they are investigating.

He added: "At this point, I asked for their contact details but they refused to give them to me. I started filming the conversation where I have acquired evidence that they refused to give their details.

"As this attack was unprovoked from a distance, I am seriously concerned that it will happen again and as the dog is dangerously out of control. I am also concerned that a person or a child might be targeted and injured next."

Greater Manchester Police confirmed the incident had been reported and that they were investigating. No arrests have been made.

Anyone with any information that may help is asked to call 101 quoting incident 903 of 18/11/22.

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