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WARNING: DISTRESSING CONTENT AND VIDEO BELOW
The “traumatising” moment a pensioner’s beloved pet Jack Russell was mauled in front of her by another dog has been captured on CCTV.
Diane Wallington, from Rochester, had been walking Wilfie, along with her two other dogs - chihuahua, Archie, and crossbreed, Millie - when he was savaged by a large mastiff-type.
The attack saw the large dog drag its owner across the road before biting down on Wilfie in front of the 65-year-old.
The incident lasted for nearly two minutes, with the dog keeping Wilfie locked in its jaws despite bystanders trying to loosen its grip.
12-year-old Wilfie had to be put down following the savage attack after he was hit by a car moments later when he tried to flee his attacker.
Diane said: “This happened to my poor dog. Loads of people helped me, I was in shock.
“They managed to free him, but he ran away traumatised and had bites on his back.
“He then got run over and we had to put him to sleep. I've lost my faithful friend of 12 years, where is the bloody justice?
“This is a very popular area for dog walkers but since this happened a lot of my friends are afraid to go anywhere near there.
“I still cry every day thinking about my faithful friend and have problems sleeping.”
Footage of the incident, which took place on December 18, has only just come to light after Diane obtained it from a property overlooking the scene in Delce Road.
The clip shows Diane walking her three dogs when a large white Mastiff-type dog starts barking at them across the street.
The powerful animal drags the woman who is holding its leash across the street towards the dogs.
As Diane attempts to shield her pets, the animal then locks its jaws into Wilfie and begins to shake and maul him.
She was helpless to protect him for 16 seconds before two men who witnessed the dog attack rushed over to help.
A woman consoles Diana as the men are then joined by two more and manage to free Wilfie.
They had to strike the larger dog and and spray it with water to get the aggressive animal off him.
Wilfie then sprints away from the animal with his owner and bystanders unable to stop him.
He was then hit by a car 50 metres away in Howard Avenue, which runs parallel to road where the attack happened.
He was rushed to a vet having suffered deep bites to his body and a broken leg, but had to be put to sleep.
Police said they are investigating the incident and are set to interview the owner of the Mastiff-type dog.
The district commander for Medway, Chief Inspector Trevor Jenner, said: “We are investigating a report of a dog being dangerously out of control in Delce Road, Rochester.
“A woman was walking three dogs, including a Jack Russell, along a pavement when it is alleged another larger dog, pulled its owner across from the opposite side of the road.
“It is reported it then attacked the Jack Russell and the latter ran from the scene.
“We were alerted to the incident and our officers attended the scene where they spoke to the victim and witnesses.
“On the same day they visited the owner of the larger dog at their home address.
“They were informed an investigation was now underway and given strong words of advice on how, in the meantime, to control the dog and what safeguards to take.
“The investigating officer has remained in contact with the victim and the person responsible for the larger dog will be interviewed under caution.
“I wish to emphasise it is for an owner or person in charge of a dog to take reasonable steps to keep it under control when walking it in public.”