Good Samaritan saves dog from attack

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IPSWICH: A dog owner has today thanked a mystery Good Samaritan who saved her beloved pet after it was attacked close to the town centre.

Jennifer Cracknell was walking her miniature Dachshund Anya in the Blackfriars ruins between Fore Street and Foundation Street when it was savaged by a Border Terrier.

She was only able to save her beloved pet thanks to the quick intervention of a passer by, who managed to prise the jaws of the attacking dog open and release the injured animal.

Mrs Cracknell, from Aldeburgh, said: “A little girl came out of the flats with her Border Terrier on a lead and it just bolted for my dog. The little girl couldn't hold it.

“The dog locked on to Anya's neck and shoulder. I was screaming for help and luckily a lady came along and was able to separate them.

“I really want to say a big thank you because without her help I don't know what would have happened. I wasn't able to speak to her in the street because I was in so much shock. It could have been a lot worse.”

Mrs Cracknell said 13-year-old Anya was immediately taken to Christchurch Veterinary Surgery where they were able to patch her up.

“They did a wonderful job and stitched her up,” she said. “Unfortunately a few days later the skin died and just fell off so she had to have more surgery but she seems to be recovering well.”

The incident happened around 3.30pm on Monday September 14 and Mrs Cracknell said she also hopes it will highlight the dangers of letting young children take dogs for walks.

“It was a very traumatic experience for both me and my dog and has taken these last couple of weeks to get over it,” she said.

“A Border Terrier isn't a particularly large dog but the young girl just couldn't hold it. Children don't hold them the way an adult would.

“I also think the dog in question was a rescue dog so it also highlights the dangers of people not knowing a rescue dog's history.”