A HEARTBROKEN owner has issued a warning to others after his beloved pet was killed by a dog on the loose in Crossways.

Stephen Wilson was walking his dog Ralphie near the level crossing on the Woodsford road when another dog appeared out of nowhere and attacked his pet.

He said the lurcher-type dog was around three times the size of Westie Collie cross Ralphie and savagely attacked the four-year-old before leaving him ‘close to lifeless’ on the floor.

Emergency vets were called and attempts were made to save Ralphie but sadly he suffered a cardiac arrest and died later that morning.

Mr Wilson said he now wants to make other pet owners aware so they don’t suffer the same fate.

Meanwhile, West Dorset District Council, which is responsible for the dog warden service, says the matter is being investigated and urged anyone who might know who the dog is owned by to get in touch.

Mr Wilson, a maintenance worker at Kingston Maurward, said it was at around 5.50am when he was out walking Ralphie and the other dog came out of the dark and attacked.

He suffered bites to his hands as he tried to fend off the attacking dog.

Mr Wilson said: “I didn’t see anybody else about with this other dog.

“He wouldn’t let go, he basically shook the life out of my dog and he only released him when he spat him out onto the floor.

“He left my dog close to lifeless on the ground and walked away back towards Crossways.”

Mr Wilson said that he ignored his own injuries as he focused on getting medical attention for Ralphie but at around 9.20am they were contacted by the vet with the news that he had suffered a cardiac arrest and died.

He said the death was particularly hard on his wife, who suffers from fibromyalgia and for whom Ralphie was a companion while he was at work.

Mr Wilson said: “Our daughter has now gone to university as well so she has lost her only means of company.”

He has reported the incident to Dorset Police and the dog warden and urged anyone who might know where the light tanned coloured lurcher, which had a small leather collar, might have come from to get in touch.

Mr Wilson said that he had contacted the Echo because he wanted to warn other dog owners and hoped it could stop any others from suffering the same tragic fate.

Probe into incident

A SPOKESMAN for Dorset Police said the incident on Tuesday, September 23 had been reported and officers had attended to speak to Mr Wilson before the matter was referred to the dog warden.

Cllr Robert Gould, leader of West Dorset District Council, said: “We are currently investigating a report of a dog on dog attack in Crossways on Tuesday, where sadly a Westie Collie cross was attacked and killed by a lurcher-type dog. The lurcher-type dog was not with its owner and ran off after the attack.

“The council is now investigating. Once the owner has been identified we can look into what further action can be taken. Cases like this are rare and we ask anyone with any information about the incident to contact the council on 01305 251010.”