The devastated owner of a tiny chihuahua told of the moment her pup 'slipped from hands' into jaws of killer dogs.
Linda Keith was walking her two beloved chihuahuas Smurf, 10, and Mo, 11, in Montreathmont Forest in Forfar on Wednesday, September 15, when she was set upon by five bulldog-type dogs and one larger mixed breed.
The 48-year-old said the vicious pack of dogs, which were not believed to be on leads at the time, pounced on her two defenceless dogs.
Terrified, Linda quickly scooped both pups into her arms but the out-of-control dogs continued to jump on her, biting at Mo before trying to bite Smurf. Elderly dog Smurf slipped from her hands and into the animal's jaws.
He was mauled by the animals and died instantly.
Linda claims the owner of the attacking dogs appeared and insisted they were 'just playing' moments before Smurf was fatally injured. After the pup was killed, Linda says the owner tried to pull the dogs away.
Her daughter Rebecca Keith, 26, told the Record her mum and chihuahua Mo have been traumatised.
She told the Record: "My mum is heartbroken, her dogs mean the world to her.
"Losing Smurf in an attack like this is devastating. She said she will never be able to forgive herself for not being able to save him.
"My mum never stood a chance against a pack of five dogs.
"She can't bring herself to walk Mo and he's too scared to leave the house. They won't even go into the back garden.
"I can't express how much of a loss this is to mum and how she will never recover from having to witness this brutal attack."
Rebecca says surviving pup Mo has been left 'extremely shaken up' and 'wandering the house looking for her partner'.
The family has slammed the dog owner for allowing the animals to run free.
Rebecca continued: "The other dog owner never apologised, nor did she show any remorse for what had happened. Even after she reached her dogs, the owner struggled to get the dogs under control as she had to catch and tie three to a tree before coming back to try and get the remaining two.
"They continued to try and attack Mo and were carrying Smurf's body around like a prize.
"As a family we will never forget what has happened and we will do everything we can to raise awareness on the importance of having dogs under control in a public place.
Police Scotland have launched a probe into the savage mauling, and the local dog warden has been made aware of the attack.
A spokesperson for the force said: "Around 2.50pm on Wednesday, September 14, police were called to a report of a dog having been killed following a dog attack in Montreathmont Forest, Forfar.
"Enquiries are ongoing and the Dog Warden for Angus Council has been made aware.”
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