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'My dog had to be put down after beach attack'

Catriona Aitken
BBC News
Josie Smith Josie Smith, who has long blonde hair and sunglasses on her head, is wearing red shorts and a black vest top and standing on the beach with her feet in the sea. The blue sea and sky are behind her, while in front of her on the sand are two dachshunds, one tan and one black. Josie Smith
Josie Smith, who often enjoyed going for a dip in the sea with her dogs, has been left "traumatised"

A dog owner has been left "heartbroken and traumatised" after her pet was attacked on a beach and had to be put down.

Josie Smith, 32, was walking her three dachshunds - Frank, Pancake and Ralph - on Barry Island beach, Vale of Glamorgan, on Wednesday evening when she said a black Staffordshire bull terrier came bounding towards them.

She said the animal "lock-jawed" onto 10-year-old Frank's neck and would not let go, despite attempts from both Ms Smith and the man and woman with the other dog to release him.

Frank was later put down by a vet due to his extensive injuries but Ms Smith said the other owners have not contacted her.

South Wales Police confirmed the incident was reported to them on Thursday afternoon.

This story contains details and images some may find upsetting.

Josie Smith Two brown sausage dogs on a beach, with the sea and sunset in the background.Josie Smith
Frank (right) was attacked by another dog while on a walk on Barry Island beach

The attack happened between 17:20 and 17:45 GMT, while Ms Smith's three dogs were "playing, splashing about, paddling in the water".

She said the black dog "came running towards them".

"I managed to get it before it got to my dogs, but as I handed it back to the owner, it swung round and then grabbed my dog by the neck and just lock-jawed onto his neck," Ms Smith said.

"My dog was in the air the whole time, hanging by his neck and it knocked his teeth out.

"We couldn't get it off for quite a while."

Ms Smith, who lives in Barry, said Frank's jugular vein - the main vein in the neck - was damaged and he was "bleeding profusely".

Josie Smith A sandy beach, with a large puddle of blood on it. Next to the puddle is a discarded hat and a dog poo bagJosie Smith
Frank was "bleeding profusely", leaving Ms Smith traumatised

"Those who know me know that my sausage dogs are like my children… heartbroken and traumatised really doesn't cut it. It's just tragic," Ms Smith said.

"I was looking at him, he was paddling and all happy and the next thing you know he's in some dog's mouth. You just don't expect it."

Ms Smith said her other dogs witnessed the whole thing, and one of them "was so scared he ran away".

"I was obviously on my own, so it was just absolutely horrific. I found him in the end, he was so frightened."

Josie Smith Three brown sausage dogs lying on a white fluffy dog bed with wooden flooring underneath.Josie Smith
Josie Smith said her dachshunds - (L-R) Frank, Ralph and Pancake - were "like her children"

Ms Smith said the other dog's owners walked her to her car, which was parked near Marco's cafe on the seafront, and took her name and number.

She added "in the midst of it all" she did not think to take their details and trusted they would make contact as they said they would.

"It's just heartless," said Ms Smith.

"I'm frustrated, I'm heartbroken. More than anything, I'm angry. I've had to lose my dog of more than 10 years in such a tragic, traumatizing way. You just can't put it into words, that shock.

"I've got other dogs and there are other people out there trying to enjoy a nice walk."