Death came a day after pet savaged

A CHADDERTON man died after an English bull terrier attacked two dogs in Butterworth Lane.

The man, who has not been named but is believed to have been in his thirties with a history of heart problems, attempted to get the terrier away after it attacked his pet on the morning of July 19.

Although not injured during the attack, he died the following day from a suspected heart attack.

Only minutes after the incident, a driver had to come to the rescue after an English bull terrier attacked another dog and its owner.

David Vickerstaffe (33), from Derker but now living in Ashton, was driving along Butterworth Lane when he heard screaming.

The bull terrier had its jaws round another dog’s shoulder while its terrified owner, who suffered a bite to her hand, was trying to pull them apart.

The father-of-one jumped from his van and hit the dog with a wheel brace, before holding it by the scruff of its neck and tying it to a fence.

Police contacted pet medics who took it away.

Mr Vickerstaffe said: “I didn’t think about my safety, I just jumped out to help the woman. I’m sure the dog would have died had the bull terrier not been forced to let go.

“The terrier had a muzzle which was hanging off. I wouldn’t like to think what could have happened.”

Police are now investigating the incidents which they believe involved the same dog.

The bull terrier’s owner, from Chadderton, is set to be interviewed under caution in two weeks’ time.

A police spokesman said: “Incidents involving dogs or animals are dealt with by the pet medics or police officers trained to handle dogs, rather than standard officers.

“People should call 999 and the pet medics will be alerted.”