Whippet mauled by mastiff in Clissold Park

Photograph: © Ray Forster (Creative Commons)

A 66 year old man has been left traumatised after his dog, an eight year-old whippet, was attacked by an off-lead mastiff in Clissold Park.

The whippet later died from its injuries.

The man was walking his four dogs near the pond when the grey-blue mastiff ran over, took the whippet in its jaws and began to vigorously shake it.

The mastiff dropped the whippet only when the woman who owned it approached.

The woman then left the scene with her mastiff, which was covered in blood.

The whippet was rushed to a vet for emergency treatment costing around £8,000, but it died of its injuries 24 hours later.

The attack took place on Wednesday 28 May between 10.30am and 11.30am.

Police are appealing for information about the dog’s owner. They have described her as a white female aged 35 between 40 years old, of average height and with blonde hair tied in a pony tail.

PC Matt Stringer, who is investigating the incident said: “Although the victim was not physically harmed, this experience has been deeply traumatic for him and has been a cause for huge concern among other dog walkers in the area.”

He added: “It is all owners’ responsibility to ensure that they keep their dog under control to prevent this type of attack on other animals and potentially people too.”