http://www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk/news/Grandfather-savaged-dog/article-994449-detail/article.html


Grandfather savaged by dog
Friday, May 15, 2009, 07:30
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A 55-YEAR-OLD man was savagely attacked by a dog as he stepped outside his gate to take his terrier for a walk.

Stephen Toward was treated at hospital for bites to his arm, finger and chest after the large black dog pounced on him and his West Highland terrier.

The terrier, Frodo, later had an operation on a paw injured by the other dog.

Mr Toward, of Chaddesden, said the attack could have been on his nine-year-old granddaughter because she regularly took Frodo for a walk.

"At first I didn't think I was going to get away and I thought I had no chance when he [the black dog] had hold of my finger," said Mr Toward, who was still in pain nine days after the attack.


He eventually managed to get back into his garden with his 21-month-old terrier after elbowing the rottweiler-type dog, causing it to relax its grip.

Mr Toward, of Waterford Drive, said he was outraged that the dog was roaming the streets without a lead and muzzle.

He said the dog's owner arrived as he was being attacked and told him to stand still.

"But you cannot really stand still when a dog is attacking you," said Mr Toward.

"If I had a dog like that, I would have it put down straight away. It's too much of a risk to have a dog like that walking around this estate, with a primary school just down the road.

"I dread to think what it could do to a child – it doesn't bear thinking about. I would worry now about my granddaughter taking Frodo out.

"She wouldn't have stood a chance and we could have been looking at something far worse than just some cuts and bruises.

"I don't feel very safe going out now myself and every time I see a black dog I have to look twice to see if it's a rottweiler. Frodo now won't go near other dogs."

Mr Toward spent three hours at Derbyshire Royal Infirmary after the incident, having his wounds dressed.

He said: "They had to clean up my finger, which was ripped apart, and make sure the tendons had not been damaged."

He was also given a tetanus injection.

A police spokesman said they had located the owner of the dog and would be interviewing her in due course.


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Comments (2)
How did i know reading this headline that it would be either a Rottie or a Staffie!!!!! No-one ever hears about the times when Jack Russels, Yorkshire Terriers etc bite/attack people, why???? because there not 'vicious' dogs. I get sick of walking my dogs (staffies) and watchin people scoop up there dogs, thinking that allthey're going to do is run over and attack their dog.
One of my staffies was attacked by a terrier, my other dog ran around like a headless chicken, didnt try to attack the dog that was attacking his brother. The terrier can away unharmed while my dog required emergency treatment....... no-one gives a dam, because my dogs are 'vicious'. I agree that danerous dogs should be put down, or gaurd dog should be muzzled when not working. I also think that there is no such thing as a bad dog only bad owners. Keep your dog safe and keep other people safe. so i feel for this man and his dog, but it would be nice to have a good story about Rotties and Staffies for a change.
Nikki, Derby


commented on 15-May-2009 13:02
How did i know from reading the headline that this story would be about a Rottie or Staffie......... No-one bats an eyelid when a Labrador, Jack Russel or Yorkshire Terrier bite someone........ because there not seen as vicious!!!!!!! I didnt got running to the papers when my Staffie was attacked by a little Terrier 'thing'.(no idea on exact bread). I have 2 staffies and while 1 was being attacked the other ran around like a headless chicken. The terrier came off without a scratch, but my dog needed emergency treatment........ No-one gives a dam, because my dogs are 'vicious'. I agree vicious dogs should be muzzled or put down before they hurt someone. There is no such thing as a bad dog, only bad owners..... keep your dog securely on your premisses and when out in public muzzle if it needs to be muzzled. Know your dog inside out. But remember that they are not human, they cant talk and tell you how they feel, so snap out...
Nikki, Derby
commented on 15-May-2009 12:36

The comments make an excellent point, from black dog to Rottweiler....

bloody hell :Angry:
glad the man and dog are on the mend :love: :mad:

:thinking: hmmm i hope it wasnt the young rottie that was loose and bothered fred that day... im sure thats around that area, and the schools just there too ....

its right though... had it been a little dog, nothing would have been written up about it..