A woman has expressed her gratitude for the support of bystanders after her dog was attacked by another dog belonging to a homeless man in Brighton.
On Tuesday, April 15, Maria Ward was walking her 15-month-old mini American Shepherd, Marley, through Brighton’s North Street when the incident occurred.
The Attack
Ward described how Marley, who was on a leash, was attacked by a larger dog that had been sitting beside its owner, a homeless man who appeared to be asleep at the time. According to Ward, the dog suddenly turned and charged at Marley. The larger dog grabbed onto Marley’s neck and pulled him away from Ward.
“I followed a few dog trainers, so I knew I needed to try and grab the dog by the collar and twist it,” Ward said. After a tense struggle, the dog eventually released Marley, who was then scooped up by Ward.
A bystander immediately contacted the police, who arrived at the scene shortly after the attack.
Immediate Aftermath
The attack lasted only about a minute, though Ward said it felt much longer. “I just scooped up Marley and ran into the nearest open door, which was a Burger King. I just started crying,” she recalled.
Ward thanked the many kind-hearted strangers who came to her aid. “There were so many people who stopped and helped, some even putting their own safety at risk,” she said. “I just want to thank everyone who stayed with us. It was really selfless.”
Marley’s Recovery
Despite the traumatic event, Marley, thanks to his thick fur, did not sustain any injuries from the attack. While Marley was soon back to his playful self, interacting with police officers and licking them, Ward explained the emotional toll the incident took on her.
“Marley was fine, but I’m left with the traumatic effect,” Ward said. “I really thought he would be mauled to death.”
Ward also noted that Marley remains a sociable dog, indicating the attack had little lasting effect on his behavior.
Sussex Police have been approached for comment.
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