Residents demand action over 'dangerous' dogs on estate

ANGRY residents of a New Milton estate who say they are being terrorised by a pair of dogs have attacked the authorities for not doing enough to make them safe.

A petition signed by 145 people has been launched by one fed-up resident, Makeala Tate, to have the “dangerous” animals removed from Davis Field.

It comes after the dogs left a cat badly injured when they barged into another resident’s home on opening her front door.

The dogs also badly scratched her boyfriend who tried to save the cat which was chased all over their flat and into their neighbour’s garden during the incident on 16th May.

Around two weeks later the same animals attacked two men and a 16-year-old as they walked their own dog through the estate.

There were claims that at least one of the men was bitten by the dogs – said to be similar to Staffordshire bull terriers – during the incident on 2nd June.

Ms Tate said: “The police were involved, and the dog warden was contacted.

“Unfortunately both animals were allowed to remain in their home, which is causing extreme distress to the rest of the neighbourhood as we have many young children, dogs and cats that live here.

“It’s simply not acceptable that these animals are allowed to be left here because it won’t be long before they escape again – who will be hurt this time?”

A spokesperson for New Forest District Council said it had liaised with the police following the incidents to work with “all parties”.

She said: “The dogs have been located and seen with the owner, and measures have been put in place to ensure similar incidents do not occur in the future.”

But residents are unhappy the animals have been allowed to remain.

Phoebe-Corrie Haffenden, the owner of cat Sookie who she says was mauled by the dogs, told the A&T: “I really thought she was going to be ripped to pieces and killed.”

Ms Haffenden said: “It was absolutely terrifying. They were barking and jumping up at me and my boyfriend, their teeth snapping. My boyfriend got scratched during the attack.

“I tried to get Sookie but they raced after her. They ran all over the flat before chasing her into next door’s garden.”

Sookie disappeared and Ms Haffenden spent all night looking for her. The cat eventually returned home in the early hours of the morning covered in blood.

A vet found she had numerous puncture wounds along with crush injuries to her pelvis, back and legs.

Ms Haffenden said: “The vet’s bill was £722. We have since been warned that Sookie may never walk again but at the moment she is managing to get around, although she is struggling.

“We have not heard from the owner of the other dogs. I understand the owner may be struggling to care for them and keep them safe, but it is not fair on the rest of the community here for this situation to be allowed to carry on.”