A dog owner believes his pet’s winter jacket saved his life when he was attacked by another dog in Brechin.
Mike Guthrie was left shaken after his beloved springer spaniel, Sam, was attacked by a husky on Provost Buchan Road.
Mike himself was injured trying to prise the husky’s jaw open, while it was gripped around Sam’s throat.
Both police and Angus Council’s dog warden are investigating the attack, which happened around noon on Tuesday.
Mike, a retired offshore worker, began shouting at the other dog owner that his husky was “killing his dog” during the ordeal.
The 55-year-old, who runs a dog walking business, believes the other owner was also scared at what was unfolding.
Husky ‘pulled dog by the throat’ in Brechin attack
Mike said: “I was out walking my dog and another springer spaniel when Sam was attacked.
“The dog came over on an extendable lead and was about 14 to 16 feet away from its owner.
“It pulled my dog off its legs and had a grip around its throat.
“Had my dog not had its coat on I don’t think he would be here.
“Sam was yelping. I’m glad he was yelping so I knew he was still alive.
“The whole thing went on for a few minutes but I had to prise its jaws open to release its grip.
“I suffered an injury to two of my fingers which were bleeding as a result of what happened.
“The jacket my dog was wearing saved his life, its thick and took most of the brunt.”
‘Other owner not apologetic’
Mike fears the situation could have been much worse if he hadn’t tackled the dog.
He added: “The guy should never have had that dog on such a long lead extension.
“Those leads should be banned.
“He was trying to reel the animal back in like a fishing rod and he looked scared by what was happening.
“At this stage I’m shouting ‘your dog is killing my dog’.
“There was no apology. He commented that the blood was coming from me and not my animal.
“I’m still a bit shaken by the whole event but I’ve reported it to police and the warden.
“I worry that had someone else maybe been on the receiving they might have been unable to rescue their animal.
“It could easily have been a child.”
The Brechin resident took his dog to a local vet before going to Arbroath Infirmary to get his own wounds cleaned and his hand x-rayed.
Mike is due to return to hospital to get his bandages removed and his wound checked over on Friday.
Springer spaniel Sam ‘hesitant’ after attack
He added: “We’ve been out in the days after the attack and Sam has been hesitant.
“The owner of the other animal needed to take more responsibility.
“That husky is not responsible – if you own an animal of that temperament you keep it on a short lead.
“The police and the dog warden aware of the matter now and I’ve raised the awareness of the incident on social media.”
Angus Council confirmed the incident is being investigated.
A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: “We are aware of the matter and looking into it.”
