A heartbroken family buried their Chihuahua in her favourite garden spot on Sunday just metres from where she had been ripped to pieces by two pitbull-type dogs.
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The distraught family had been talking to friends in their Gillieston Heights home shortly after midnight on Sunday when they heard their pet Missy whimpering outside.
Seconds later Brad Smailes ran out of the Saddlers Drive house to see what appeared to be strips of white cloth lying on the ground.
At first I was very angry and I wanted those dogs to be killed for what they did. But now I think it is not really their fault. Now I want their owner to be punished, so this never happens again and other kids don’t have to cry like us.
- - Gemma Smailes, 8.
Only after the pitbull-type dogs had disappeared did Mr Smailes realise he was looking at the remains of their beloved pet.
Mr Smailes and his partner Jade Goldsworthy were joined by several neighbours in their call for action to be taken against the owner of the two dogs.
“We have spoken to council rangers and our biggest fear is that those two dogs will attack again – and next time children might be the victims,” Ms Goldsworthy said on Sunday.
“We are scared this will happen again unless something is done.
“Missy had been part of our family for eight years. She was given to me as a present shortly after our daughter Gemma was born.
“The two were inseparable and delighted in each other’s company.
“The death of Missy was too awful.
“Our little dog would have been through such terror in her last moments.
“But it is really scary to think what might happen to people living around here if those dogs are not dealt with.”
Mr Smailes said they had adored their little dog.
“She went out as she always does before bed because she is house trained.
“I heard two yelps and it was over.
“I ran outside and saw two dogs standing in the driveway next to what appeared to be pieces of rag lying there.
“I went up close and saw what remained of Missy.
“She was so helpless really.
“A tiny animal that fitted into my hand.”
The couple said their children had adored their pet.
“She was such an obedient little dog who only wanted to please us,” Mr Smailes said.
As she placed some flowers on Missy’s grave, eight-year-old Gemma said: “At first I was very angry and I wanted those dogs to be killed for what they did.
“But now I think it is not really their fault.
“Now I want their owner to be punished, so this never happens again and other kids don’t have to cry like us.”