PENSIONER, 84, BIT IN FACE BY ‘MASTIFF’ DOG

Published: 1 October, 2010
by JOSH LOEB

A PENSIONER who was badly injured during a vicious “mastiff” dog attack while she was out shopping says she is scared to leave her home.

The 84-year-old former dancer was rushed to hospital after the animal bit her face.

She would not speak directly to the Press but her son, Haydn Haynes, said the incident had “knocked the hell out of her”.

He appealed on her behalf for information about the incident, which took place outside Kent and Son’s butcher’s shop in St John’s Wood High Street at around 4pm on Saturday.

The dog, described as a “huge” brown ­mastiff, was being walked by a young man and a woman, who fled before the emergency services arrived.

Police are now searching for the couple, who are believed to live locally.

Mr Haynes, who came to London this week from his home in Cambridgeshire to help look after his mother, said she is a long-time resident of St John’s Wood and had been badly affected by her injuries.

“She is normally very independent but now she is scared to leave the flat,” said Mr Haynes. “The dog jumped up and bit her and she fell into the road. 

“People heard the commotion and came to help. One of them said they should try making a citizen’s arrest, but people were too scared because of the dog. When they heard that, the owners ran off.”

Liam Kilkenney, owner of Kent and Son’s, said: “She was lying in the road and as she got up I saw the side of her face was all torn. She was bleeding. I brought out a tea ­towel for her to hold against her face.”

Another witness, who works in Oxfam, said: “Thank God it was her face and not her neck that the dog bit otherwise she might have died.”

St John’s Wood ­Conservative councillor Lindsey Hall said she wanted the “awful” incident to be put at the top of the agenda at the next St John’s Wood Area Forum on ­November 18. She said: “Unfortunately I think this is a growing problem in all areas and smart old St John’s Wood High Street is not exempt. These are vicious thug dogs that have been reared badly and are being used as weapons. You could call it poor parenting.”

Cllr Hall, whose own family were “traumatised” after their dog was set upon by a ­larger, “greyhound-like” breed, said a return to licensing might help solve the problem. Her Coton de Tulear, a Madagascan breed, had an eye removed after it was mauled as she walked it in Paddington Rec four months ago. 

She said: “It’s not an issue I have looked into very much politically I must admit, but following the attack last weekend I think maybe it really is time to look again at dog licensing. At least then the animal is registered to a proper address. I think that maybe it is time to apply more political pressure.”

A Westminster Police spokeswoman said: “I can confirm police were called on September 25 at approx 17:15 to reports of a woman bitten by a dog in St John’s Wood High Street. The woman aged 84 was taken to hospital with minor injuries and has now been released. There have been no arrests and enquiries are ongoing.”