Pitbull attack on Isle of Wight brings stark warning

Danielle Youle, of Sandown, is warning fellow dog owners to be cautious when taking their pets near Morton Brook.

WARNING this article contains images which some readers may find distressing.

On Thursday, at approximately 3pm, Danielle says she had been walking her three dogs: Archie, Alfie ­— two Cockapoos­ ­— and Gracie, a Tibetan Terrier.

She took them in the direction of fields off Perowne Way, entering via Morton Brook, and it was there where the attack happened.

"I was approaching the gate to enter the fields when I saw two children stood at the doorway of a house," said Danielle.

"Then I saw a brown pitbull, and it immediately started sprinting and attacked my Archie; then a Staffy came running over and attacked Gracie.

Archie's injuries.

"Archie was being thrown around like a rag doll. The pitbull had its whole mouth around his neck, leaving three puncture wounds.

"The screams of pain were horrendous. The vet said it was millimetres away from puncturing his jugular vein, which would have been fatal.

"The Staffy, meanwhile, had Gracie pinned to the floor on her back, but she escaped without injury.

"Thankfully, Alfie wasn't harmed during the incident, but he was trying to help Archie get the pitbull off him.

"I was trying my hardest to get the pitbull off Archie, but he was so strong ­— he just wouldn’t let get.

"I was running backwards and forwards between Archie and Gracie to try and protect them, and screaming for help.

Danielle Youle says the dog attack happened near Morton Brook.

"The owner finally ran over, and even he struggled to get the dogs off mine. He had to wrestle and get the pitbull in a headlock.

"A handful of neighbours came running to help me, and help the man control his dogs.

"As soon as his children brought the leads, he walked back into his house with the dogs and just disappeared.

"I really want to thank the neighbours, as it could have been a lot worse without their help.

"I want to especially thank the people who checked over my dogs for injuries, and John and Debbie, who calmed me down and offered for me to go and sit in their home and make a call.

Danielle Youle's three dogs, Archie, Alfie and Gracie.

"My fiancee, Dan, went to run Archie to the vets, but a lovely stranger told him to jump in her car.

"Archie's wounds were cleaned and he was given sedation, pain relief and antibiotics.

"I walked back home with Gracie and Alfie in a state, hyperventilating, and had a panic attack.

"After eventually calming down, Archie was back home and in a lot of pain, very anxious and scared.

"We contacted the police, but were told nothing could be done unless a human had been injured.

"The RSPCA says it’s a police matter, we don't have a dog warden in the Island, and the council says it’s nothing to do with them.

"We're seeking legal action, as we want to get justice for the physical and emotional damaged caused."