Three women and dogs injured after 'horrific' dog attack in Newton

A SERIOUS incident involving out-of-control dogs left a scene of mayhem in Newton-le-Willows.

At around 6pm on Thursday, August 17, Christine Potts and Tracey Heyhurst heard the screams of a woman who was trying to save her pet from a savage dog attack in Willow Park - and suffered hand injuries as she tried to intervene.

Shortly after the scream was heard, Christine and Tracey saw two large dogs, described as "XL Bully types", bounding towards them as they sat on a bench with their Papillon and West Highland Terrier.

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Christine was badly hurt in the incident (Image: Christine Potts)

Latching on to the 16-year-old beloved Westie, Rosie, one of the large dogs fiercely pierced through her skin before turning his focus onto Mylo the Papillon, while Christine and Tracey desperately tried to get it off.

Diving on the small Papillon in an attempt to save him, Christine said she was then attacked by the 'Bully' dog and bitten on the nose and lip; resulting in swelling and blood pouring down her face. 

Christine said: "It was horrific. It just went on and on and on, and we couldn't get the dog off. It was so powerful.

"I laid on Mylo to protect him as the dog would have killed him, and Tracey tried to lie on the 'Bully' but he couldn't get him off.

"Mylo was bitten on his ear and head, and Rosie has punctures around her neck. Rosie is still distressed and crying but luckily they both survived."

Christine's injured dog, Rosie (Image: Christine Potts)

After hearing the screams of 'help me, help me', Jackie Mahoney, who was walking her Yorkshire Terrier-Chihuahua cross in the park, said she also felt the force of the 'XL Bully', which she described as "running riot".

Jackie alleges that the owner of the dog managed to get control of the other dog but fled the scene without gathering the 'Bully'.

Scooby the Yorkshire Terrier-Chihuahua also suffered serious injuries (Image: Jackie Mahoney)

The mum-of-two said: "I heard screams which must have gone on for ten minutes, so I tried to see what was going on, and the dog was just running riot.

"I didn't see [Christine] being attacked but I saw families hiding on the park slides, and the owner was nowhere to be seen.

"The dog then went for [Jackie's dog] Scooby and ripped through his neck, back, and chest - and he now was a deep puncture wound in his chest.

"I tried to grapple with this huge dog to get him off, so much so that I fell down the stairs with it. After a while, someone came over to help and grabbed Scooby, and then the dog finally started to tire out and lie down, and I just sat on him until the police came.

"My knuckles are bruised and my back and arm hurt, but in some ways, I just feel lucky that the dog didn't get too aggressive with me and Scooby managed to survive."

Jackie suffered injuries to her knuckles, arms, and back (Image: Jackie Mahoney)

Describing the attack as a "major incident" which went on for around 20 minutes, Jackie expressed disappointment in the police response time as she said that the situation could have been "much worse".

While Rosie and Scooby suffered serious injuries in the attack, both dogs are recovering at home after being treated by the vets.

As the attack was announced as a warning to dog owners on social media, Christine and Jackie have been inundated with "so much support and kindness" after the terrifying ordeal.

Scooby suffered multiple puncture wounds from the attack (Image: Jackie Mahoney)

Merseyside Police has confirmed that the two dogs that were "dangerously out of control" have since been seized by officers.

Officers confirmed the reports of the incidents which left three people and three dogs injured. They say that the owner of the XL Bully dogs "had been trying to get them back under control during the three incidents".

The attack took place in Willow Park, Newton (Image: Google Maps)

Detective Inspector James Rotheram said: “This was a shocking example of what can happen if dogs are not kept under control while being walked in the community.

“Sadly, a number of dogs and their owners have been injured and I’m sure it was a very traumatic experience for those involved.

“We have seized two dogs and our enquiries are ongoing into this incident.”

Merseyside Police recently launched the 'Taking the Lead' campaign this summer which gives important tips and advice to dog owners to help reduce dog bite incidents. To read more about the campaign, visit here.