Two dogs in vicious mauling in Brighton 'not seized at this stage'

The horrific attack happened shortly after 8am yesterday in Eaton Place, Kemp Town, Brighton.

Sussex Police have confirmed that they are investigating the attack which left the small cavapoo terribly injured, while his owner was bitten on the arm and needed hospital treatment.

The force has confirmed that the two attacking dogs are not a banned breed and have not been seized yet.

• READ MORE: Cockapoo mauled and woman injured in vicious dog attack

PC Darren Penter said: “We recognise this was a distressing incident for those involved and the wider community.

“An investigation is under way to establish the exact circumstances of what happened and assessments have been made to determine whether the dogs involved pose any further risk to the public.

“They are not banned breeds and, at this stage, have not been seized.

“As this is an ongoing investigation we are unable to give any more information at this time.

Eaton Place is near the Royal Sussex County Hospital (Image: The Argus)

“We are continuing to appeal for anyone with information or footage of the incident to report it online or call 101, quoting serial 256 of 04/01.”

A builder working nearby rushed to try and help the smaller dog as it was being attacked.

The builder, whose T-shirt was covered in blood, described how the larger dog had the cavapoo “pinned to the floor”.

He said the dog “wasn’t letting go” until he threw a metal object at it.

Tufts of hair believed to be the dog's were found at the scene (Image: Andrew Gardner / The Argus)

The man said: "Parts of the small dog's skin had been bitten off." 

He managed to release the cavapoo and he took it to Coastway vets in nearby Freshfield Way, Brighton.

One neighbour said: "I heard a girl shout 'help me, help me, help me' three times in a very dramatic way."

It is against the law to let a dog be dangerously out of control anywhere, such as:

• in a public place
• in a private place, for example a neighbour’s house or garden
• in the owner’s home.

The law applies to all dogs. You can report a dog that is out of control to the council dog warden or police.

Out of control

Your dog is considered dangerously out of control if it:

• injures someone
• makes someone worried that it might injure them.

A court could also decide that your dog is dangerously out of control if either of the following apply:

• it attacks someone’s animal
• the owner of an animal thinks they could be injured if they tried to stop your dog attacking their animal.

Penalties

You can get an unlimited fine or be sent to prison for up to six months (or both) if your dog is dangerously out of control. You may not be allowed to own a dog in the future and your dog may be destroyed.

If you let your dog injure someone you can be sent to prison for up to five years or fined (or both).

If you allow your dog to injure an assistance dog (for example a guide dog) you can be sent to prison for up to three years or fined (or both).