Fears raised after dogs killed in vicious attack

FEARS have been raised for the safety of toddlers, small animals and livestock following a vicious dog attack which killed two heavily pregnant Pomeranians.

The owner of the two Poms was lucky to save a third when what is believed to be an Alsatian-type cross got into the conservatory of a house owned by Maggie Egan-O’Neill.

Her dogs Sheepie and Trixie, who were both in pup, were savaged by the far larger attacker. One was killed instantly and the other had to be put down by a vet. The stray then turned on a third Pom and squared up to Ms Egan-O’Neill as she tried to save it.

She said yesterday that while the death of her two pets was very distressing she wanted not only to warn other dog owners, but parents of toddlers about the incident.

“If there had been a small child in the house it could have been horrific. My dogs were viciously attacked inside their own home,” the distraught owner said.

Both were house-dogs and she had left the door of the conservatory slightly open so they could go outside when they needed to.

Ms Egan-O’Neill said she came across the distressing scene just in time to save her third pet.

The incident happened early last Monday morning near Sarsfield’s Court, Glanmire, Co Cork and Ms Egan-O’Neill said she heard that a local farmer had also had one of his sheep savaged.

She contacted gardaí, who carried out a sweep of the area but found nothing.

A garda spokesman said there could have been serious consequences if a young child had been present.