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Dog owner describes terrifying moment out-of-control dog pounced in Aberdeen woods

Deborah Lagrichi was leapt on while walking her 17-week-old puppy - just months after her last dog was put down as a result of an attack.

Deborah Lagrichi needed hospital treatment after the attack in Hilton Quarry Woods on Friday. She tried to protect puppy Rocky, but he also needed vet treatment. Image: Kami Thomson/DC Thomson
Deborah Lagrichi needed hospital treatment after the attack in Hilton Quarry Woods on Friday. She tried to protect puppy Rocky, but he also needed vet treatment. Image: Kami Thomson/DC Thomson

An Aberdeen woman has described the moment she had to punch a dog four times to get it off her – as her puppy whimpered in her arms.

Deborah Lagrichi is calling for tougher restrictions for dog owners, and is seeking a meeting with her local MP to get action.

Ms Lagrichi admitted she was already anxious while out walking her own puppy after the family had to put down their beloved 12-year-old Yorkie last year following an attack at Cornhill Shopping Centre.

But now she does not know how she will be able to continue walks with the 17-week-old cocker spaniel after being pounced on by a large dog while walking in Hilton Quarry Woods early on Good Friday.

Deborah Lagrichi grabbed puppy Rocky to protect him, but he still required treatment at the vet. Image: Kami Thomson/DC Thomson

Man heard shouting before dog pounced

She could hear someone calling to a dog, and sensing danger, picked up little Rocky and put him on her shoulder to try and protect him.

The out-of-control white bullmastiff then bit her – forcing her to punch him four times to free herself while desperately trying to keep her pup out of his reach.

Ms Lagrichi, who stays in the Cummings Park area, said: “I heard someone shouting for a dog, “Harlow, Harlow, Harlow.” His voice was far off in the distance, but I couldn’t see anything for the great big trees.

“The dog ran past me at first and then he came back just seconds later. At that moment I saw the man approaching along the path, still shouting the dog’s name.

“The dog jumped onto my back so Rocky panicked and slid down into my arms. The dog came round the front, so I had to throw Rocky back up over my shoulder and shield him again.”

Deborah Lagrichi wants tougher controls for dog owners following the attack – which is the second her family has suffered in less than a year. Image: Kami Thomson/DC Thomson

‘My skin just split right open like a banana’

The 53-year-old, who required hospital treatment, claims the dog’s owner did not say a word as he approached, put his dog’s collar on and walked away.

A concerned neighbour rushed out to help after hearing Ms Lagrichi’s shouts, but did not get a good look at the other dog owner, who is described as male with a British accent.

The incident has been reported to the police.

Ms Lagrichi added: “I remember all I kept saying was ‘Get your dog off me’ and the guy just stood there behind the dog with the chain ready to put around his neck once he had let go of me.

“I had to put Rocky on my shoulder, let go of his harness and hold him with my head while using my knuckles to punch the dog on the nose between the eyes. Four times it took me before he released my hand.

“I knew I had been bitten but because of the adrenaline, I didn’t realise my skin had just split right open like a banana.”

Rocky suffered a puncture wound to his hip and was treated by the vet.

The incident brought back painful memories for Deborah Lagrichi’s family, who lost 12-year-old Yorkie in a dog attack last summer. Image: Kami Thomson/DC Thomson

Painful memories of previous dog attack

The attack brought back painful memories for the family, who lost their beloved Yorkshire Terrier, Harvey, in August following an incident with a pitbull-cross.

Harvey suffered injuries to his eyes, ribs and lungs, leaving the vets no choice but to put him down.

Ms Lagrichi said: “Since Harvey’s death and we got Rocky, I have been very aware of my surroundings. I scan the area and I tend to go out at quiet times in the morning and in the evening.

“I don’t know how I am going to be able to take him out now. I was already scanning for these big dogs before. It will be 10 times worse now.

Calls for tougher controls

“I should be able to go for a walk. I look after my dog, and I abide by the rules.”

She wants tougher measures to be brought in to control to “dangerous” breeds, such as mandatory harnesses, leads and registration. She is seeking a meeting with Aberdeen North MP Kirsty Blackman to discuss next steps.

“There is clearly a problem with these dangerous dogs,” she said.

“There should be a standard that has to be met. It should be mandatory that they must be muzzled and on a lead with a sturdy harness. Something needs to be done.

“I think that these dangerous dog breeds should be on a mandatory registration. They should have a database with information about the owner, and photographs of the dog and the owner so that if there is a problem with any of these dogs, the police, Scottish SPCA or the dog warden can get them as they know where they are.

“Either that or there must be a massive ban. We cannot have these dangerous dogs in the UK.”

A police spokesman said: “We were made aware of an attack by a dog at Hilton Woods in Aberdeen shortly before 2pm on Friday, April 7.

“Inquiries into the incident are ongoing and anyone with information can call 101, quoting reference 1872 of April 7.”

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