Yorkshire terrier dies after dog attack at Hengistbury Head in Bournemouth

A Yorkshire terrier was attacked on the beach at Hengistbury Head in Bournemouth on Monday 10 April at around 12.45pm. The owner was walking his pet when it was attacked by a tanned-coloured mastiff-type dog, which was with a man and a woman.

The man is described as white, aged in his late 30s, five feet seven inches tall and of stocky build. He had a shaved head and was described as wearing a turquoise-coloured t-shirt and had tattoos on his arms.

The woman is described as white, aged in her late 20s, five feet seven inches tall and of slim build. She had brown hair worn in a short pony-tail and was also described as wearing a turquoise-coloured t-shirt.

The offending dog had a football in its mouth which it dropped, before biting the victim’s dog.

The Yorkie died as a result of the injuries it sustained. Nobody else was physically injured during the incident.

Although dog-on-dog attacks are usually led by the local authority and dog warden, neighbourhood inspector Billy Bullock of Bournemouth Police said, “We are particularly concerned as there were a number of young children in the area at the time of this attack. I would like to reassure the public we are working with Bournemouth Borough Council to trace the dog’s owners.”

The owners of the offending dog left the area in a blue people carrier – possibly a Vauxhall Zafira and due to the number of people who could have witnessed the attack, the police are appealing for anyone who saw it, or who captured in on their mobile phone, to get in touch.

Bournemouth Borough Council has appealed for the dog owner to come forward.