'They tried to bite my throat out' – dog owner tells of savage park attack on her and pet

A WOMAN who was viciously attacked by two dogs in a park sobbed as she told how she believed she was going to die.

Angela Harder was walking a neighbour’s Yorkshire terrier called Ellie in Hazel Park, Totton, when the horrific incident happened.

She said: “I had seen them in the distance, then they were suddenly there just ripping into Ellie. I could hear her skin tearing.

“I grabbed her and held her above my head, then they started going for me, trying to bite my throat out.

“I honestly thought I was going to die. I threw Ellie into the fenced-off playpark to save her, then the dogs just really went for me with a vengeance.

“Their teeth were snapping at my throat, it felt like they were out to kill.

“I could hear this awful screaming and screaming and then I realised it was me.”

The attack happened on 10th May around 7.30pm when Angela, a security officer, was out taking her daily exercise during lockdown.

She said: “I was the only person in the park. I am a tough cookie. I’d rather have been attacked by a bloke as I could have fought back and had a chance.

“I had no chance against those dogs. If I was a child I would have been killed.”

Her screams alerted John Schuttler who lives near the park and he came running to her aid with another man.

Angela said: “John was amazingly brave, he stood between me and the dogs. I was so hysterical I just ran off. I was covered in blood and so was Ellie. I ran to Ellie’s owner’s house.

“She thought I had been attacked by someone. She called the police, but they didn’t come out as they thought it was just a dog attack.”

Back in the park Mr Schuttler and the other man found themselves the new target for the dogs, which are believed to be lurchers.

Angela said: “I have spoken to John and he said as soon as I left, the dogs turned on them.

“The other man jumped into the play park to get away, injuring himself, and had to be treated by an ambulance crew.

“These dogs attacked three adults and a dog. They were totally out of control. It was only thanks to John and the other man and the fact I had thick clothing on that I wasn’t killed. Also, my braids cover my neck so their teeth couldn’t sink in.

“I am so traumatised I have not been able to leave the house since. I keep having flashbacks and crying.

“I don’t think I will ever be able to take a dog for a walk again. I certainly can’t go back to that park.”

Ellie had to have emergency surgery which cost her owner £500. She has serious injuries but is recovering.

Angela posted about her ordeal on social media and received information about the possible owner of the dogs which she has passed to the police and the New Forest District Council dog warden team.

Video of the attack on Mr Schuttler and the other man has also been given to them, while another woman claimed she had also been attacked by the two dogs shortly after Angela.

Hampshire police said it is investigating the attack on Angela and is asking people with information to contact them. Call Hampshire police on 101 quoting 44200165617.