Muzzled mastiff gave me a fright

26/ 9/2008

Dog alert! Recently, while walking across the playing field behind Bowdon Vale, I was suddenly circled from behind by a black and brown mastiff, fortunately wearing a muzzle over its mouth.

It continued to circle me and despite politely asking the man in charge of the animal to call it off, he didn’t seem particularly interested and just sauntered over extremely slowly, making insulting remarks, saying he was looking after it for an old lady and that it was really very gentle – some story!

Eventually, a woman with him attracted it away with some food.

That sort of experience could easily give an old person a heart attack or traumatise a child.

There is a playground just a few yards away, as well as Bollin Primary School being next door to the field.

For all our sakes, on my return home, I phoned the police but the policewoman at the other end didn’t seem to be very interested and amazingly said she had a child and that, according to the law, a dog was allowed a free run in that area.

Then, a few days ago, a friend was similarly circled, possibly by the same dog, this time being looked after by a boy.

I would be interested to know if anyone else has had a similar experience with this animal and his owners or knows where they live, then, collectively, we can take this matter further before someone is badly affected. I have since been in contact with the community police and parks police, who are also keen to discover the whereabouts of this man and dog.

Name and address supplied