Camden New Journal-news-harristheboxerdog

Publications by New Journal Enterprises

Home

Archive

Competition

Camden New Journal - by CHARLOTTE CHAMBERS
Published: 17 May 2007

Harris with his hero friend Chopper the Shitzu

Shitzu saves Harris from 100lb hunting dog

HARRIS the boxer dog was well on the way to recovery this week after life-saving surgery following an attack by a 100lb Akita Japanese hunting dog.
Seven-year-old Harris was left with stitches across his back by the attack 10 weeks ago. He had to make twice-daily visits to vets Primrose Hill Pets as he fought his way back to health.
The attack happened when the Akita, a breed traditionally used to hunt bears in the Far East, slipped through security gates at Harris’s owner’s house in Elsworthy Road, Primrose Hill.
Harris was dragged into the front garden and attacked for six minutes until the Akita was pulled away by its owner.
Harris’s owner, Debbie Abramsohn, repeatedly hit the Akita, recognisable by its distinctive white fur, with a stick in a desperate attempt to break up the fight. Her other dog, a shitzu called Chopper, bravely jumped at the Akita – more than five times Chopper’s size – in an attempt to protect his canine pal.
Mrs Abramsohn said: “He deserves a Victoria Cross. That dog could have killed him by sneezing on him.” She said the Akita had attacked Harris once before while they were walking in Primrose Hill.
Mrs Abramsohn said: “The story is quite simple. A huge dog comes into our home, mauls our dog, is unmuzzled and wanders across Primrose Hill every day. That seems strange. Dog laws should be able to do something.”
The Dangerous Dog Act protects people but no mention is made of attacks on other animals.
Mrs Abramsohn added: “I’m not anti-Akitas, I’m not anti-my neighbours – I’m anti-police. If large dogs are allowed to wander around unmuzzled something’s not right.”
Ms Abramsohn’s neighbour, who refused to give his name to the New Journal, owns two Akita dogs, Apollo and Athena. He said: “The dogs are very friendly.”
He maintained Apollo was not a dangerous dog and had attacked Harris because the pair “don’t like each other”.
He said: “There was another little dog there and he could have eaten him alive, but he didn’t touch him. It was an accident. The side door was left open by a stranger. We are now making sure this can’t happen again.”

Comment on this article.
(You must supply your full name and email address for your comment to be published)

Name:

Email:

Comment: