Police officers are investigating an horrific dog attack in Garlinge where one pet was killed, another seriously injured and a man suffered injuries to his hand which may result in amputation of at least one finger.
The victim, Nick Phillipowsky, and his wife Trish were sitting on a wall in Birds Avenue talking to neighbours when witnesses report an American Bulldog charged out of one of the properties and attacked their two Yorkshire Terriers.
Neighbour Anthony Giles said: “They were with their dogs, both Yorkshires are old and one had no teeth. They sat on the wall talking to a neighbour when the dog came flying across the road and grabbed Woody – one of the little dogs- ripping the skin and gum from his jaw. He has just come out of surgery and thankfully is doing ok.
“Nick then ended up on his back as he tried to get the bulldog off Bella. She was literally ripped in half.
“The attack was about eight minutes and then there were people trying to get the dog off of Nick. I arrived when it was all finishing. Nick is now in East Grinstead hospital having his hand reconstructed and it looks like he will lose at least one finger.
“His wife is absolutely distraught. It is the second attack by the same dog. Last month it attacked an Alsatian pup badly breaking its leg.
“My wife Jo let’s our dogs out in the field behind us so it could have been her and she’d have been on her own.”
Laura Sullivan, from the Missing Dogs and Strays Thanet group, was also a witness to the attack.
She said: “The aftermath was truly devastating. Little Bella had no chance, she’s a little toothless terrier and thank god that the owner and neighbour’s quick action with Woody meant less harm to him.
“This dog was the dog from the attack on Alfie the German Shepherd pup whose leg we still don’t know can be saved.
“The police have everyone’s details, CCTV has picked up the 8 minute attack and for now our dogs in Garlinge are safe as the dog was taken under police advice via Dog Warden.”
Kent Police are appealing for CCTV or dashcam footage to help with the investigation.
A Kent Police spokesperson said: “Kent Police was called at 1.25pm on Tuesday 6 June following a report that a dog was attacking other dogs in Birds Avenue, Garlinge, near Margate.
“Officers attended and the dog was seized. Two people were injured during the incident and a man was taken to a local hospital.
Two dogs were also injured, with one sadly found deceased at the scene and another taken to a vets.”
Enquiries into the incident are ongoing and anyone who witnessed what happened, or has CCTV or dashcam footage which may assist, should call Kent Police on 01843 222289, quoting reference 46/100450/23.
A fundraiser to help with vet bills for the pup Alfie and Woody has been set up.
Find it here
