A dog owner has been left devastated after seeing a pack of Staffordshire bull terriers drag away and kill one of his beloved pets during a vicious attack in Folkestone.

Philip Cole, of Wear Bay Road, was out walking his two poodles, Shandi and Rocky, near his home between 3pm and 4pm on Monday, January 27 when the attack happened.

It resulted in three-year-old Shandi being mauled to death. Rocky only survived because Philip managed to lift him above his head to protect him from the attacking pack.

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He said: “Rocky, has canine PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), and is slowly getting over his mental and physical scarring.

"He and Shandi were very close companions, having spent every day of the last three years together.

“Shandi is now buried in our garden. Rocky knows she is there, and when he is let out each morning, heads straight for the grave" - Philip Cole

“Shandi is now buried in our garden. Rocky knows she is there, and when he is let out each morning, heads straight for the grave. My wife, Anita, is still very upset.”

Following the attack Philip went home carrying Rocky above his head to protect him while the pack of staffs followed, snapping at his legs and trying to bite the surviving poodle.

Dr Cole, a historian and language teacher, and his wife Anita, who works at the Ashford Designer Outlet, moved to Folkestone from Australia two years ago and brought their two dogs with them.

Philip said: “When Shandi was a puppy, we were looking after her for a friend. She fell down our stairs and broke a leg. Her owner could not afford the £3,000 surgery and was going to euthanise her. My wife stepped in, paid for the surgery, then adopted Shandi.

“Shandi was deeply loved. I am still stiff and sore from the incident and have a pretty impressive claw scar across my forehead.

“She loved chasing balls on Sunny Sands, bacon and eggs, our bed and playing with Rocky.

“She was a bit of a little princess. She was rather delicate and full of mischief.”

Philip was walking along the footpath with his two poodles on their leads when he says the three unknown dogs, which he believes were Staffordshire bull terriers, ran towards him. The dogs reportedly then starting attacking his poodles.

Anyone with information about the attacks is asked to call Constable Kimm, on 01843 222289 quoting reference ZY/002533/15.

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