Dog and owner attacked by pit bulls near Grappenhall Heys

Toy poodle Connie was left ‘bleeding to death’ after the incidents on a footpath linking Grappenhall Heys and Lumb Brook Road at around 9am on Wednesday, April 7.

Connie pictured before the attack

The beloved pet has since undergone multiple injuries for internal injuries but is now recovering.

Owner Gareth Price was also bitten on his hands as he bravely fought off the attacking dogs – of which there were believed to be four or five, and who were off their leads.

His wife Joanne said: “He heard shouting in the woods and dogs barking, which indicated something was going on.

“He couldn’t see anyone, but turned around and walked in the opposite direction.

“Two pit bulls then appeared not on leads, chasing Connie on her lead – her lead snapped off her collar in the mayhem.

“Gareth wrestled the dogs as best he could to get them off her – one dog had her in his mouth, shaking her around like a rag.

“He managed to get her free, but was bitten many times by the dogs – the other two dogs then appeared off leads and joined in the chase.

“Two men appeared 100 yards away and slowly came to get the dogs off Connie and Gareth, which wasn’t easy.

“The third man appeared and said ‘our dog is fine’, and they all walked away.

“Gareth had to get Connie to vets as soon as possible as she was bleeding to death, so he couldn’t pursue them.”

They are now facing vets’ bills running into the thousands of pounds as a result of the incident.

Connie after undergoing surgery

Two of the men with the dogs were white, while the third was described as being mixed race.

All three were in their 20s, had Liverpudlian accents and were wearing baseball caps.

A Cheshire Police spokesman said: “At 12.13pm on Wednesday, April 7, police were contacted by a man who reported that he had been attacked by four dogs in Appleton.

“The man stated that he was walking his dog on the footpath linking Lumb Brook Road to Grappenhall Heys between 9.10am and 9.30am when both he and his dog were attacked by four other dogs.

“These four dogs were described as being light-coloured and of a pit bull or Staffordshire bull terrier breed.

“Three men were also present at the time of the incident – they are described as being in their mid-20s with Liverpool accents and were wearing caps.

“Both the victim and the dog were injured as a result of the incident and required medical attention.

“Enquiries in relation to the incident are ongoing, and anyone with any information in relation to the incident is asked to contact Cheshire Police on 101, quoting incident number IML957861.

“Information can also be reported anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”