Toy poodle killed after greyhound attack in Fenland village

Story by: TOM JACKSON A DOG owner in a Fenland village has been left devastated after her toy poodle died following an attack by a greyhound. Sandra Watts was walking her poodle, Katie, and her Jack Russell, Bella, through Newton when she said out-of-nowh

Story by: TOM JACKSON

A DOG owner in a Fenland village has been left devastated after her toy poodle died following an attack by a greyhound.

Sandra Watts was walking her poodle, Katie, and her Jack Russell, Bella, through Newton when she said out-of-nowhere a large black greyhound grabbed Katie by the neck.

For nearly 10 minutes Miss Watts, an arthritis sufferer, and passers-by battled to free Katie from the greyhound's grasp.

Miss Watts said: "I just don't know how I am going to get over it. Bella is completely traumatised by the event. I will never be able to walk her in the village again.

"Katie was a unique little dog, so proud. She thought the world revolved around her. She was full of life and playful and never let me out of her sight. I just couldn't protect her."

Miss Watts, 60, usually walked the dogs on the village playing field but because of inclement weather decided to walk them down the road on November 4 when the incident happened.

Describing the incident, which happened in Church Lane close to the church, she said: "An extremely large un-muzzled black greyhound came up and just grabbed Katie by the back of the neck.

"There was nothing I could do to prevent it. I held on to her lead and hit out at the greyhound with my crutch but it took no notice. This went on for about 10 minutes.

"The dog was so strong it nearly had me over as well - I just don't know how I held on. I was terrified that it might start on my other dog as well."

Several people appeared during the ordeal and tried to help.

Miss Watts said: "I scooped Katie up into my arms. I felt sick, but it was clear she was dead."

Miss Watts has now called on people to get in touch with their MP calling for tighter measures on the ownership of retired racing or coursing greyhounds.

A couple who, it is believed owned the dog refused to comment when approached by the Standard.

Police investigated the incident but a spokeswoman said: "Officers decided it was most likely the greyhound thought the poodle was a hare because it was so small and went after it as a natural instinct.

"We decided no further action could be taken and both parties were happy with that.