Dog died in heroic fight

A GRIEF-STRICKEN Abbeyhills woman told how her pet greyhound died after saving the lives of her other dogs in a vicious attack.

Helen Frost (25), a studio manager, was talking as police continued inquiries into the death of Barney, the seven-year-old dog she adopted as a pet.

The incident happened when Helen was walking on a lane near Titchfield Road, Oldham, with her partner, Ryan Service, his mother, Diane, and their other two dogs, Harry and Lady.

A distraught Helen said: “In our eyes Barney is a hero. He sacrificed his life to save our other dogs. We will love him for ever.”

Three other large dogs approached their group, she said. Barney bravely put himself between the two sets of dogs to stop an attack on Harry and Lady.

But one of them set on Barney forcing him to the ground on his back.

She said: “Barney was struggling to kick him off. The screaming was horrific and then another large dog jumped on him, clamping on his face.

“Ryan and I were kicking both the attacking dogs and we managed to get one off while Barney continued to kick at the other.

“Harry, our other dog, got a good bite into the dog clamped on Barney’s face.

“Eventually, the dogs got off him and Barney ran away. I could see his skin had been ripped off his left shoulder and leg.”

While Ryan went searching for his injured pet, shocked Helen and Diane returned home and contacted police.

Ryan said: “Barney was hurt but his greyhound instinct set him off running away from the scene. I searched all over the place without any luck.”

Meanwhile, a man phoned the family to say he and found the injured dog and was taking him to a local vets.

Later, after discussions with the vet, the traumatised dog was moved to a 24-hour critical care animal centre at Worsley.

Helen added: “At one point, he seemed to be recovering, but he died. It’s a shame, Barney was a really timid dog with a lovely temperament.”

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said inquiries into the incident are on-going. It is believed a dog has been seized and is undergoing assessment.