A DOG was viciously attacked by a gang of youths while walking through Milnshaw Park, Accrington, with its owner.
William Townsley, 66, was walking his 14-year-old partially-blind Cairn terrier Snoopy through the park at around 1pm on Monday.
As he was passing the children’s play area, William said a group of around 18 Asian youths racially abused him, shouting obscenities before kicking the defenceless dog in the face and ribs.
William, of Devonshire Street, Accrington, said: "I could hear them shouting racial obscenities but I ignored them at first and carried on walking towards the old tennis courts.
"As I turned around to shout Snoopy, a couple of the gang, who had broken off from the rest, kicked him in the ribs and then in the face before running back to their friends.
"I thought he was dead. The poor dog had been kicked into the air and was just lying on its side.
"As I walked off I could hear them shouting: ‘Carry on, we’ll do to you what we did to the dog’. I was in fear of my life."
William said he picked his pet up and cradled it in his arms before making his way to the nearby Asda store to call for help.
He added: "I was so shaken up I could hardly talk. The woman I spoke to at Asda said Snoopy was the fourth animal to be attacked up there."
William said he waited at the store for an hour for a police officer to arrive but then had to leave to get Snoopy to the vets. On his return home he contacted the police again and was assured someone would visit him soon. However, he was still awaiting a response.
Inspector Dave Mangan at Accrington Police Station confirmed the crime had been reported and apologised for the delay in dealing with it.
He said: "After the initial call was logged, another job came in with a high priority and the patrol had to be deployed there. Because we didn’t have a mobile number, we were unable to contact Mr Townsley
"We understand that to this man it was an important call, but unfortunately we don’t have limitless resources and we had to prioritise. We would like to be able to send someone to every crime as soon as it happens but it is not always possible."
Police are now investigating and said if any other animals have been attacked in the area the owners should contact them on 51212.
Showing comments 1 to 7 and replies | View All
Dave123xyz, Accrington (20/03/2009 at 19:32)
snowberry, Hyndburn (23/03/2009 at 19:15)
Paula Angus (29/03/2009 at 09:44)
People who hurt defenceless animals need to be punished. I just hope someone with some guts catches these people doing this and gives them what they deserve, a good kicking, just like those idiots gave the poor dog!
Freda Livery, Gt Harwood, Lancs, UK (30/03/2009 at 02:49)
I demand a return to the old ways of Borstals and Approved Schools. Make them run like a Boot Camp with the children sent there for a full 6 weeks or more, during which time their parents loose all rights to any state benefits for them.
That'll soon sort them out.
Once a mum can no longer claim as a lone parent because her thug of a child is in Borstal and she has to find a job, she'll soon make sure he behaves himself in the future!
After all, the purpose of having a parent at home, is to care for the children, and if the child isn't being properly cared for, and brought up knowing how to respect others and their property, then she's not fulfilling her obligations, and why should the government fund someone to sit at home on their backside all day, whilst their kids terrorise older members of the community.
Its just NOT acceptable. We need Zero Tolerance of it, and we need it NOW.
Ryan van Noortwijk (30/03/2009 at 20:35)
The Police Force need to sort themselves out, they lose more an more respect every day.
I hope William, Joyce and Snoopy are all recovering well.
Kim Smith (06/04/2009 at 10:56)
To Mr & Mrs Townsley, I hope you feel better about going out sometime soon and I hope Snoopy is well on his way to recovery xx
JAYD PEIPER (06/04/2009 at 13:16)
They are totally useless and worthless and server no purpose whatever.
Today it was a poor defenseless old dog.
Tomorrow? Perhaps you?
This story just points up one more reason the citizenry should be armed. As it is now, they are all defenseless.