THOUSANDS of pounds have been raised for a devastated woman's vet bills after she and her dog was attacked in a Newton-le-Willows park last week.
As previously reported by the Star, three women and three dogs were attacked by two large "XL Bully types" in Willow Park on Thursday, August 17, which were said to be "dangerously out of control".
Described as a "horrific" 20-minute attack, it was reported that one woman suffered injuries to her hands as she tried to stop the 'Bully' from attacking her pet.
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Christine Potts, a 56-year-old Newton resident, was then bitten on the nose and mouth as she tried to save her two dogs from the attack, although she was unable to prevent her 16-year-old West Highland Terrier from suffering serious puncture wounds to her chest and neck.
A Yorkshire Terrier-Chihuahua cross was also left with puncture wounds as the 'Bully' "ran riot" in the park and its owner, Jackie Mahoney, also suffered injuries as she desperately tried to fight the dog off.
With the incident leaving a mark on all of those involved, it has particularly affected 56-year-old Christine who said she has been having painful flashbacks of the attack and is scared to take her West Highland Terrier Rosie and Papillon Mylo out on a walk again.
As she has also been worrying about the cost of vet bills during a cost of living crisis, Newton's shocked community has come together to raise almost £3,000 to assist the 56-year-old during her time of need.
To further show that she is not alone, hundreds of residents have reached out to message Christine to make sure that she is okay and supported.
Christine said: "Thank you so so much everyone for your kindness and [generosity], it brings me to tears when I read all your lovely comments.
"Rosie has had a good night and thankfully her breathing is calmer, I was terrified she was going to have a heart attack but I will tell you something for a 16-year-old dog she's a bloody fighter.
"I don't have kids so my dogs are my kids, I've had Rosie since she was 8 weeks old and I love her more than life.
"Little Mylo is great, I fought with my life to save him because I knew he would have been killed instantly [be]cause he's so tiny, and Tracey my friend fought to save Rosie.
"Both me and my friend are very sore, in physical and mental pain, having flashbacks, bursting out crying, [and] not eating. We are hardly sleeping but we are all alive and time will heal.
"Thank you everyone from the bottom of my heart."
Following the incident in Willow Park, Newton-le-Willows councillor Seve Gomez-Aspron issued a warning and advice about dangerous dogs and potential attacks.
Cllr Gomez-Aspron said: "If you see a dog attack, or people with dogs that look like it’s about to happen, then you ring 999. The Police deal with dangerous dogs and attacks. That’s not the role of a dog warden.
"The law says your dog must be under control or on a lead. If it isn’t, that’s a criminal offence.
"That includes stray dogs running around, with no owner or ones that have escaped. By default, it isn’t under control. The dog being impounded is the deterrent.
"People tend to get into patterns walking dogs, so make a note of the owner, dog, time and take a photo if you can, and report them here.
"Dog attacks have increased locally, with a person being attacked this week.
"Unless we address it as a community, it might be a kid next."
Any issues are advised to be reported to the Council's Dog Warden Service here.
To donate to the fundraiser for Christine's vet bills, you can do so here.
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