A family have been left devastated after their beloved dog was allegedly savaged by a Bullmastiff while it was being walked by an eight-year-old boy.
Star, a two year old Cavapoochon, was out with his owner's neighbour and son in Scotstoun, Glasgow, when she was set upon by an out of control dog on Mother's Day.
The dog was rushed to the vet after suffering a fractured pelvis, several puncture wounds to the abdomen and damage to her intestines and bowel. Star died three days later from complications of her injuries.
A 57-year-old woman has been charged in connection with the incident.
Sharon McGinley, 36, whose grandad owns Star, told the Record: "My grandad’s neighbour and his eight year old son had Star out for a walk on Mother's Day. My grandad can't take her out for long walks due to his health.
“The wee boy had Star on a leash when a Bullmastiff type dog ran over to them.
"This massive dog had its jaw locked on Star straight away and was rag dolling her all over the place.
"My dad's neighbour and two bystanders had to prise its jaws open."
Star belonged to Sharon's gran before she passed away in September last year. Her grandad Raymond, 76, has since become inseparable from the beloved pooch.
The pooch was transferred to an emergency pet hospital in Glasgow and had surgery to reconstruct her abdomen on Tuesday night. After her operation, vets told the family Star had contracted pneumonia.
Just a few hours after Sharon had been at the vets on Wednesday to visit her, she passed away.
Tearful Sharon said: "We are all completely crushed. I've been in tears.
"My grandad says his world has fallen apart. He's not spoken since. It's the last thing he needed after my gran died.
"My grandad's neighbour's wee boy is traumatised. He's blaming himself for letting go of Star.
"During the operation she regurgitated and swallowed some of her vomit. It led to complications and then she contracted pneumonia.
"We visited her on Wednesday afternoon and she had come around and seemed to be doing okay. Then I got a call at 8pm to say Star had lay down and passed away. She died from pneumonia.
"When I phoned my grandad he was in Tesco buying food to make Star a stew when she got home.
She added: "We are going to bury Star in with my gran. It's what she would have wanted.
The family have to fork out an £11,000 bill to pay for Star's surgery and care after scraping together £5,000 for her initial treatment.
Sharon has now started a fundraising page to pay for the remaining balance.
A spokesperson for the force said: “Around 2.05pm on 19 March, 2023, police were called to reports of a dog attacking another dog near the Kingsway Court area in Glasgow.
“A 57-year-old woman has been charged in connection with an offence under the Dangerous Dogs Act.
“No one was injured from the incident, and a report has been sent to the Procurator Fiscal.”
To donate to Star's fundraiser, click here.
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