Police track down bull terrier that savaged herd of London cattle

Attack: the dog hangs off cow's throat
12 April 2012

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The animal's owner was traced to an address in Isleworth last night after pictures in the Evening Standard showed the bull terrier attacking cows in Petersham Meadows in Richmond on Bank Holiday Monday.

He has handed over the male dog - named Stamford - to police who are now deciding what action to take.

The attack took place in meadows which form part of the view from Richmond Hill - the only panorama in England to be protected by an Act of Parliament - and a scene once painted by Turner.

Many of the cows are in calf and the bull terrier was seen clamping its jaws around one animal's neck for about 30 seconds while the distressed herdsman battled to pull it off the animal.

The herd includes a number of calves and witnesses told how some of the older cows butted and attempted to trample the dog during the 15-minute attack.

Ian Brown, 64, who is responsible for the cattle, eventually managed to grab hold of the dog but the owner fled with the animal before police arrived. An eyewitness told the Standard: "The dog was vicious. It went for the cows and just attacked. It should have been on a leash. It was hanging off one cow's neck at one point. It was very distressing."

Police today urged people to keep dogs on leads, particularly if they are near cattle.

Stamford's owner voluntarily handed over ownership of his pet to police, who must now decide what action to take. The unnamed owner is said to be devastated. At present the dog is being cared for in kennels.

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