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Bull terrier savages toddler in park
Parents call for definitive action from the authorities following attack in playground
A TODDLER is recovering in hospital after he was pulled off a park playground ride and mauled by a bull terrier “like a seal being taken by a killer whale”.
Two-and-a-half-year-old Maurice Maguire was attacked as he played with friends on a new ride in the children’s play enclosure at Primrose Hill on Saturday.
His father, Danny Maguire, described the attack.
“Somebody’s American Staffordshire bull terrier came into the park like a torpedo and knocked a few of the kids off the toy,” he said.
“He knocked Maurice over, grabbed him by the ankle and shook him like a rag doll. It was like a shark attack scene from Jaws. There were screaming parents running in all directions. It was like a seal being taken by a killer whale.”
Maurice was discharged from the Royal Free Hospital yesterday (Wednesday) after surgeons treated injuries to his ankle and lower leg.
Mr Maguire, who lives in Parkhill Road, Belsize Park, described them as “two enormous tearing wounds”. While the family are hopeful Maurice will recover from the 80 per cent ligament damage, they accept he might be badly scarred.
“We know it could have been worse,” Mr Maguire said. “If the dog had picked him up by anything other than his ankle the shaking would have killed him.”
Witnesses to the attack said the dog owner grabbed his pet while repeating “he’s not a dangerous dog”.
A group of parents from the playground who saw him walking away from the scene caught up with him and escorted him back to the playground to talk to police.
A Met spokesman said: “The owner of the dog was detained in Regent’s Park Road by members of the public until the arrival of police. The dog was seized under the Dangerous Dogs Act. A 35-year-old male was taken to Kentish Town police station where he was questioned but not arrested. The dog is being looked after in police kennels pending further enquiries.”
Maurice’s parents are demanding action on dogs from the authorities.
A massive outcry from owners forced the Town Hall to retreat from plans for new, stricter laws last year.
Although watered-down Dog Control Orders were approved in September last year, the Town Hall confirmed last week that only two £80 fines have been issued under the new laws.
Mr Maguire said he would like to see all dogs muzzled if they are off the lead. “I have always felt strongly about this but now, obviously, I can see that the risk of a child being attacked far outweighs the inconvenience,” he added.
“I cannot see why anyone would own a dog that could kill a child. They must want to frighten people, or be frightened themselves. But talk of an ‘irresponsible minority’ of dog owners doesn’t make me feel any better now.”
He was supported by Gospel Oak Conservative councillor Keith Sedgwick, who has raised concerns about the new laws being too weak. He said: “The council listened to the Kennel Club, which represents responsible dog owners, but what was not heard were the many residents who are affected by dogs.” |
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