Watch: Two Pitbulls Attack Family Dog During Għasri Feast: ‘It Was Mayhem’
A family was left in shock after their dog was viciously attacked whilst attending the Għasri feast in Gozo on Saturday, with them having to intervene to save their dog’s life.
It was a normal day for Stefan Farrugia, who had accompanied his family to the feast, along with his in-laws and their dog, Tucker.
Though as they walked to the parish church, the family was set upon by two large Pit Bulls that were not on a leash. One black, and one brown.
“They came out of nowhere,” Stefan told Lovin Malta. “Two Pit Bulls. They ran towards us and went straight for Tucker.”
Content warning: sensitive images below
“They collided with such force that they all ended up on the ground, and my father-in-law with them, still holding the leash. There were lots of screams and shouting and kicking and punching.”
As the scuffle worsened, passers-by were forced to intervene. Many locals came together and pried the two Pit bulls away from Tucker.
“People from all over came to help us, including locals attending the feast and policemen that were present at the scene.”
Footage of the scene made the rounds on social media, and YouTube, showing a throng of locals pulling the dogs apart, whilst Tucker’s family carried him to safety.
“I got hold of the black dog and lifted him up and threw him away. The brown one was being held by others and he kept escaping and trying to get at Tucker. Their strength was incredible. It was mayhem.”
Amid the chaos, the owner of the Pit bulls was nowhere to be found. After “15 minutes of biting, fighting, and dragging dogs around the floor”, Stefan’s father-in-law managed to get the dog to safety behind a bus shelter.
Meanwhile, the Pit bulls were grabbed and secured by locals, one of which started shouting and calling for the owner.
“We only learned that they did, in actual fact, have an owner after we carried them to his house. He was there the entire time and had no idea what was going on.”
None of Stefan’s family or any locals involved in the scuffle were injured. But the same could not be said for Tucker, who while sustaining his fair share of injuries, managed to escape alive.
“These two dogs were just concentrated on attacking a defenseless 13-year-old cocker spaniel whose been afraid of dogs his whole life.”
“He’s such a calm, quiet dog. He only grumbles when he’s hungry. And he’s quite scared of dogs. So this was the cherry on the cake for him.”
Stefan and his family later filed a report at the police station in Rabat.
“There are too many incidents like this going on. Something needs to be done. There needs to be more awareness about dog owners being safer as well as accountable.”
Following a public appeal by Stefan on social media for more care, safety, and regulation, news of the attack made it all the way to Commissioner For Animal Welfare Alison Bezzina, who took to social media to speak of the incident.
“It’s a hard story to read and even harder to hear first-hand,” she wrote. “The owner of this dog will be traumatised for life and whilst Tucker was lucky to get away with his, other dogs and cats have not been.”
“I’ve been pushing for harsher laws, heftier fines, controlling the breeding of dogs, especially strong breeds, and education. Please support this cause.”
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